How to Identify Potentials and Barriers of Raw Materials Recovery from Tailings? Part I: A UNFC-Compliant Screening Approach for Site Selection

Abstract

Mapping the raw material (RM) potential of anthropogenic RMs, such as tailings, requires a comprehensive assessment and classification. However, a simple procedure to quickly screen for potentially viable RMs recovery projects similar to reconnaissance exploration of natural mineral RMs is missing. In this article, a quick and efficient approach to systematically screen tailings storage facilities (TSFs) is presented to evaluate if a particular TSF meets the criteria to be assessed in a more advanced study including costly on-site exploration. Based on aspects related to a TSF’s contents, physical structure, surroundings, potential environmental and social impacts, and potentially affected stakeholders, it guides its user in compiling the information at local scale in a structured manner compliant with the United Nations Framework Classification for Resources (UNFC). The test application to the TSF Bollrich (Germany), situated in a complex environment close to various stakeholders, demonstrates that a quick and remote assessment with publicly accessible information is possible. Since an assessment of tailings under conventional classification codes from the primary mining industry neglects relevant aspects, it is concluded that tailings should be considered as anthropogenic RMs. The developed screening approach can help to create a TSF inventory which captures project potentials and barriers comprehensively.

Gospodarka Surowcami Mineralnymi - Mineral Resources Management

“…Apart from Poland, various multinational organizations and institutions have recently intensified efforts in the area of waste management, including mineral waste (Winterstetter et al 2021;Suppes and Heuss-Aßbichler 2021;Salminen 2021). For several years activities have been carried out aimed at developing uniform terminology as a base for a planned EU directive on waste management (Pietrzyk-Sokulska et al 2018) and within the framework of the Un European Economic Commission.…”

Understanding the Opportunities, Barriers, and Enablers for the Commercialization and Transfer of Technologies for Mine Waste Valorization: A Case Study of Coal Processing Wastes in South Africa

“…Avoiding land disposal through repurposing and reprocessing mine waste for other uses has the potential to remove these long-term ARD pollution risks. The approach, called valorization, views waste as a secondary resource rather than as an unwanted material, consistent with the circular economy-and resource efficiency principles [32][33][34][35]. For waste to be turned into an asset and these benefits to be realized, innovative technologies and innovative application of existing technologies are needed.…”

“…For waste to be turned into an asset and these benefits to be realized, innovative technologies and innovative application of existing technologies are needed. Large-scale waste valorization efforts are currently impeded by a lack of industry-wide information on waste characteristics, and therefore potential uses of mine wastes, although European efforts are focused on improving the situation [32,36,37]. The need for updated legal frameworks and societal acceptance has also been noted [32,38,39].…”

“…Large-scale waste valorization efforts are currently impeded by a lack of industry-wide information on waste characteristics, and therefore potential uses of mine wastes, although European efforts are focused on improving the situation [32,36,37]. The need for updated legal frameworks and societal acceptance has also been noted [32,38,39]. To help overcome some of these barriers, research funding initiatives such as Horizon 2020, EIT Jumpstarter, and WasteAid's Circular Economy network [40][41][42][43] provide opportunities for accessing funding and support.…”

“…Technology transfer of sustainability technologies to the mining industry is a subject that has received little explicit attention, and Suppes and Heuss-Aßbichler [32] have noted the need for mapping barriers to the development of waste valorization technologies. There also appears to be limited research on the factors influencing university technology commercialization and transfer in South Africa, particularly in the context of coal waste management.…”