An Integrated System for Recycling Base Metal Mine Tailings

Abstract

This paper reports the progress of current research being undertaken at the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology, Australia, investigating the feasibility of recycling base metal mine tailings. An integrated four-staged recycling system is proposed, involving the retrieval of remnant metals, extraction of potential contaminants, processing for construction materials and backfill, and development of a benign final residue suitable for revegetation and landscaping. The system is designed as both a means of tailings rehabilitation and as an alternative to conventional dam storage. Four case-study mines are used to investigate tailings characteristics and assess the feasibility of the recycling stages. Some of the experimental work for this project is still underway, and economic analyses are incomplete. Nevertheless, results indicate that recycling mine tailings ·is technically feasible. The system may have only limited application as a means of rehabilitation, but has significant potential as an alternative to conventional tailings management for future mining operations.

Mine waste or future resource? Integrating industrial ecology thinking into a mining project

“…Construction materials are also popular for downcycling of mining waste. Mill tailings have been used to manufacture blocks and bricks, and metal rich material has been used for glass and rock wool production (Edraki et al 2014;Struthers, Brumley & Taylor 1997). In general, downcycling uses usually require the presence of a local market, as their low value does not allow long-distance transportation (Struthers 1999).…”

“…At Ernest Henry Mining, Queensland, tailings are being reprocessed for magnetite as a result of additional capacity of the process plant (Xstrata Copper 2012). The report indicates that magnetite comprises 20% of the tailings volume, which would therefore be significantly reduced Struthers, Brumley and Taylor (1997). evaluated that reprocessing may be attractive to mining companies where there is pre-existing reason to excavate the waste, e.g.…”