Exploring an alternative approach to mine waste management in the South African gold sector of the article

摘要

The large volumes of waste generated during gold beneficiation are a major pollution concern in South Africa. To remove these potential pollution risks in perpetuity, non-conventional approaches to mine waste management are required which avoid land disposal of "unwanted" material. This paper explores the opportunities, drivers and barriers for the re-purposing of gold waste in the South African context. The findings identify numerous opportunities for reusing gold mine tailings and tailings dumps, and highlight the interrelated factors that constrain their uptake.