The tailings are contained by an embankment. Also visible in the foreground of Figure 8.2.3 is a pile of waste rock, which is non-ore rock that was mined in order to access the ore. Although this waste rock has low levels of ore minerals, at many mines it contains up to a few percent pyrite.
The mining industry has changed significantly over the past years. Because of lower head grades and complex ores, more tailings are generated by mining processes, adversely impacting the ecosystem and the productivity. Tailings dam failures have increased the pressure to search for alternatives. Responsible and cost-effective …
This article corresponds to an independent study that answers questions concerning the definition of mine tailings and the socio-environmental risks linked with mine tailings chemical composition by examining the practical experience of industrial-scale copper and gold mining projects in Chile and Peru.
A by-product of the mining process, tailings present a significant challenge for the industry – both financially and in terms of sustainability and environmental impact. Usually taking the form of a liquid slurry made of water and fine metal or mineral particles, tailings can also be converted into dry-stack tailings, where the leftover material is …
The method selected in the storage of mine wastes mainly depends on their chemical and physical features, the topography and climatic conditions of the storage areas together with the socio-economic context of the locality where a mine or an ore concentrator operates, including costs related to tailings processing, transport and …
Re-processing of "old" residue tailings has proved to be a profitable business for several operations, usually when incorporated into an existing facility to supplement declining ore arisings. These resources often prove to be a source of "cheap gold" since the high mining and feed preparation costs have already been incurred and only "variable" …
The mining industry produces billions of tons of waste annually and stores it in slag heaps and tailings ponds (Carmo et al. 2020). The mining waste produced contains varying amounts of the target minerals. The point at which mining waste is viewed as ore is determined by people based on financial and environmental factors, such as the cost of …
Considering the current low-grade copper mining deposits and their costs associated with processing (mining, crushing, grinding, and concentration), today it is possible to say that mining tailings, with their respective copper grades, can be considered a georesource [ 78, 83 ].
easibility of re-processing mine tailings to obtain critical raw materials using real options analysis. Journal of Environmental Management, vol.
Cutting-edge solutions for any tailings processing and repurposing needs, while reducing water use, environmental impact, risks, and costs.
During this process, costs are continuously estimated at least in an order of magnitude. Reprocessing flowsheets for copper mine tailings in Chile were developed and costs and revenues of possible products from reprocessing were examined for a …
Discover hydraulic dewatered stacking, a game-changing tailings technology that increases stability and water recovery, while enabling faster closure.
For this reason, tailings storage represents a significant cost as well as an ongoing environmental and social liability for mining companies. And, as calls for more responsible management practices increase, so too …
These projections show that, under a business-as-usual situation in the mining sector, the global amounts of mining waste are likely to increase exponentially as the global energy transition progresses. Taking the rough estimate of 200 Gt of global historical tailings, copper alone would increase this amount by 150%.
What are Tailings? Tailings are a by-product of mining. After ore containing an economically-recoverable commodity is mined from the earth, that commodity is extracted in a processing plant or mill. After the commodity of value is extracted from the ore material, the resultant waste stream is termed "tailings".
The Global Industry Standard on Tailings Management, which is the outcome of the Global Tailings Review process, is an important milestone towards the ambition of zero harm to people and the environment from tailings facilities.
Comprehensive Information. Access detailed data on mine tailings dams worldwide, including their locations, sizes, construction methods, and operational status.
Sustainable mining management is increasingly seen as an important issue in achieving a social license to operate for mining companies. This study describes the life cycle cost (LCC) analysis and environmental valuation for several coal mine tailings management scenarios.
Mining, mineral processing, and extractive metallurgy are essential industries for metal production but generate huge amounts of wastes that are disposed of in tailings dams or stored in impoundments.
PDF | Environmental desulphurization is an attractive alternative for management of acid generating tailings. This process placed at the end of the... | Find, read and cite all the research you ...
Cost models adopted to reprocessing of tailings were developed, in order to estimate investment and operating costs and to evaluate the feasibility of reprocessing the tailings
Mine tailings (MTs) are the materials dumped on a mining site after mineral extraction, containing scattered traces of residual minerals, dug-up soils, and a disturbed ecosystem. Abandoned and untreated MT can pose threats to the surrounding ecosystem due to the presence of various primary and secondary toxic components, …
Mining involves the processing of mined ore to separate valuable minerals, leaving behind huge volumes of waste tailings. Driven by mining volumes, globally generated tailings are estimated to ...
This can result in an overly complex process design with potentially a poor economic outlook. Factors that make the reprocessing of historic mine tailings feasible include improved market conditions, advancements in process technologies, and a reduction in costs for exploration, excavation, and comminution.
Mintails, a mine tailings processor, has developed new technology to process 350,000 tons of slimes from its extensive tailings resources. It expects to recover 58 kg of gold per month, and has enough slimes to last until 2025. Goldfields has also developed new technology for a tailings retreatment plant, and processes 12,000 tons of …
The findings of this review serve as a supporting reference for decision-makers concerning the related sustainability issues associated with mining, mineral processing, and solid waste management.
This article corresponds to an independent study that answers questions concerning the definition of mine tailings and the socio-environmental risks linked with mine tailings chemical composition by examining the practical experience of industrial-scale copper and gold mining projects in Chile and Peru.
Mine tailings are the waste materials generated during the mining process, which often contain a mixture of crushed rocks, chemicals, and potentially hazardous materials such as heavy metals, asbestos, and radioactive materials. These tailings are typically stored in large piles or ponds near the mine site. The composition …
For over 20 years, the Mining Association of Canada (MAC) has led the way in responsible tailings management. Tailings management has been a significant focus of MAC's work, particularly through its Towards Sustainable Mining (TSM) program. Tailings are a by-product of mining, consisting of the processed rock or soil left over from the ...
The generation of tailings in the world today is immense, since only ounces or pounds of metals are extracted for each ton of ore processed. In 2022, it was estimated that more than 14 billion metric tons of mining tailings were produced per year in the world. Currently, many environmental problems associated with tailings management in …
Reprocessing flowsheets for copper mine tailings in Chile were developed and costs and revenues of possible products from reprocessing were examined for a rough economic assessment. Standard cost models with capex and opex for flotation, leaching, and magnetic separation were adopted to the needs of tailings reprocessing.
