Chapter 16

Tailings Disposal

The disposal of mill tailings is a major environmental problem, which is becoming more serious with the increasing exploration for metals and the working of lower-grade deposits. Apart from the visual effect on the landscape of tailings disposal, the major ecological effect is usually water pollution, arising from the discharge of water contaminated with solids, heavy metals, mill reagents, and sulfur compounds. Waste must therefore be disposed of in both an environmentally acceptable and, if possible, economically viable manner. Disposal is governed by legislation and may involve long-term rehabilitation of the site.

Keywords

Tailings dam types; backfill; submarine disposal; environmental issues; acid rock drainage ...

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