Conceptual Integrated Strategy for Mine Tailings Reprocessing and Land Rehabilitation

摘要

The current strategy of managing mining waste is based on linear economy thinking ('take-make-waste'). Waste is viewed as a necessary expense and large scale storage is the only option. This practice of managing waste is often costly, sometimes inefficient, comprises inherent safety and environmental risks with potential undesirable consequences. A new transformational perspective to mining waste is urgently needed. This paper identifies a conceptual integrated strategy for mine tailings reprocessing and land rehabilitation at a lead-zinc and copper mining and mineral processing operation with the potential to significantly extend the life of mine, improving the overall resources recovery and minimizing the costs and environmental impacts associated with mined land rehabilitation.