Mine tailings (MTs) are waste products generated from mechanical and chemical processes to extract valuable elements from the ruin of mine ores. They are generally stored within tailings storage facilities (TSFs) or in the form of dry stacks. With the concern on sustainable mining, it becomes more common that MTs are used to fill underground mined cavities, i.e., backfill. However, MTs deposited in tailings ponds and large piles can cause various problems. From 1917 to 2009, there were globally 237 cases of MTs accidents, 17 of which took place after 2000. It is worth noting that advanced technologies facilitate the increasing production from lower-grade ores in mines, yet this process in general yields a higher tonnage of MTs. And the failure of MTs disposal and management may lead to tremendous economic losses and residential casualties. In this regard, the exigencies of promoting sustainable MTs management have gained soaring attention.
This Research Topic aims to address advances in sustainable MTs management, particularly novel frameworks that entail (1) physicochemical properties of MTs, (2) technologies employed in the process of different MTs disposal methods, (3) utilizing MTs as aggregate in concrete, and (4) societal impacts of MTs management.
This Research Topic welcomes submissions of Original Research, Review, and Mini Review articles. The contributions are expected to cover the following themes that include, but are not limited to:
• Geochemical and physical properties of MTs
• Rheological and pumping behaviors of MTs
• High-performance dewatering technologies of MTs
• Methods of MTs disposal
• MTs backfill and underground environmental protection
• Optimization of water management of MTs
• Methods of MTs treatment and (bio)stabilization
• Risk and stability analysis of tailings storage facilities (TSFs)
• Design and monitoring methods of TSFs
• Liquefaction and failure mechanisms of MTs dam
• Approaches to interpreting and managing monitoring data of TSFs
• Impacts of MTs management on enabling and accelerating the progress towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals
Mine tailings (MTs) are waste products generated from mechanical and chemical processes to extract valuable elements from the ruin of mine ores. They are generally stored within tailings storage facilities (TSFs) or in the form of dry stacks. With the concern on sustainable mining, it becomes more common that MTs are used to fill underground mined cavities, i.e., backfill. However, MTs deposited in tailings ponds and large piles can cause various problems. From 1917 to 2009, there were globally 237 cases of MTs accidents, 17 of which took place after 2000. It is worth noting that advanced technologies facilitate the increasing production from lower-grade ores in mines, yet this process in general yields a higher tonnage of MTs. And the failure of MTs disposal and management may lead to tremendous economic losses and residential casualties. In this regard, the exigencies of promoting sustainable MTs management have gained soaring attention.
This Research Topic aims to address advances in sustainable MTs management, particularly novel frameworks that entail (1) physicochemical properties of MTs, (2) technologies employed in the process of different MTs disposal methods, (3) utilizing MTs as aggregate in concrete, and (4) societal impacts of MTs management.
This Research Topic welcomes submissions of Original Research, Review, and Mini Review articles. The contributions are expected to cover the following themes that include, but are not limited to:
• Geochemical and physical properties of MTs
• Rheological and pumping behaviors of MTs
• High-performance dewatering technologies of MTs
• Methods of MTs disposal
• MTs backfill and underground environmental protection
• Optimization of water management of MTs
• Methods of MTs treatment and (bio)stabilization
• Risk and stability analysis of tailings storage facilities (TSFs)
• Design and monitoring methods of TSFs
• Liquefaction and failure mechanisms of MTs dam
• Approaches to interpreting and managing monitoring data of TSFs
• Impacts of MTs management on enabling and accelerating the progress towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals