A brief survey of current surface waste disposal practices in the metal mining industry

ABSTRACT Tailings ponds are a common method of mine waste disposal. Technical as well as environmental aspects of surface disposal of metal mine wastes are briefly reviewed The construction of tailings ponds require a broad range of parameters from geotechnical aspects to effluent treatment and reclamation procedures to be taken into consideration. Working with low grade deposits, which require intense grinding, in addition to the presence of sulphide minerals pose difficulties to the disposal of tailings. Government regulations call for reclamation procedures to be drawn-up prior to the commencement of the mining activities. Generation of Acid Mine Drainage (AMD) is one of the most important problem that a metal mine operation can face. Successful reclamation programs depend on an extensive and detailed water management procedure. This paper reviews the environmental as well as technical aspects that need to be incorporated into the design and construction of a tailings pond facility to minimize and poss...