Tailings

Category: Environment / Mining

  • Tailings are the finely ground waste materials left after valuable minerals are extracted from ore.
  • They may contain heavy metals, sulphides and other potentially hazardous substances, depending on the ore and processing method.
  • Tailings are commonly stored in tailings dams/reservoirs or other engineered facilities.
  • Failure of a tailings storage facility can cause widespread water, soil and ecosystem contamination.
  • Acid mine drainage can occur when sulphide-containing materials react with oxygen and water.
  • Safe tailings management is therefore an important aspect of sustainable mining and environmental governance.

Key Pointers: Tailings → Mining waste | Major concern → Heavy metals/acid drainage | Storage → Tailings dams/facilities.