Reprocessing feasibility of polymetallic waste rock for cleaner and sustainable mining

Abstract Mining operation produces significant volumes of waste rocks (WR) characterised by high heterogeneity in their physical, mineralogical and hydrogeological properties. The purposes of this study were to assess the acid-generating potential, evaluate reprocessing feasibility of polymetallic WR using desulphurisation process (i.e., gravity separation and flotation) and study the geochemical behaviour of desulphurised materials. The fresh WR was collected in the waste dump from Langlois mine at Lebel-sur-Quevillon (Quebec, Canada). The WR sample was divided into six fractions using wet screening : D