Tailings Disposal - Mining and the Environment: From Ore to Metal - page 710

18

Tailings Disposal

Concepts and Practices

Arguably, more environmental problems have resulted from tailings disposal than
from any other component of mining operations. In the past, many tailings storage
structures failed, some during operation, some after closure, some catastrophically
causing loss of life, and others causing chronic or acute environmental damage. In
the mountainous wet tropics, in particular, the historical record of tailings disposal
includes more failures than successes.

What are tailings, or 'tails' as sometimes known? In some mineral industries tailings have
different names. Notable examples are 'slimes' in the phosphate industry and 'red mud' in
the alumina rei ning industry. Despite differences in terminology, tailings are essentially
i nely-ground rock particles of no practical or economic value, mixed with water. They
also have in common that their safe disposal constitutes a considerable environmental
challenge.
The bibliography on this subject is considerable. A non-exhaustive selection of recent and
most innovative titles includes Australian Government (2007), USEPA (1982, 1995), BGRM
(2001), MAC (1998, 2003), Jewell and Fourie (2005), ICME and UNEP (1999), Martin et al .
(2002) and Xenidis (2004) for an authoritative general coverage of the subject matter. The
book by Vick (1983, reprinted in 1990) is the authoritative text on tailings dam planning
and design. Kreft-Burman et al . (2005) provides a review of tailings specii c regulations.
Safe tailings disposal concepts and practices comprise all the elements depicted in
Figure 18.1 , and are briel y discussed in this chapter, focusing particularly on conventional
on-land tailings storage facilities (TSF) and deep sea submarine tailings placement (DSTP).

Tailings are essentially fi nely-
ground rock particles of no
practical or economic value,
mixed with water.

18.1 DECIDING ON THE TAILINGS DISPOSAL SCHEME

The choice of what tailings disposal scheme to adopt depends on the quantity, nature and
characteristics of the tailings; potential impacts and risks associated with tailings disposal
in a given the geologic, topographic and environmental setting; and on disposal objectives.