Management of Mineralized Waste as a Future Resource
Dr Eugene Ben-Awuah ( - Laurentian Univeristy), Mr Dylan Caverson ( - Laurentian University)
After mining completion, lasting effects of the operation remain. Mine waste has negative influences on the environment, prominently due to acid-mine drainage. Currently, the majority of mines are not mined until physical depletion, but rather current economical depletion, resulting in valuable minerals left behind. With proper attention to waste management planning, the potential to increase the future profits and sustainability of the mine become available. By reprocessing the mineralized waste when metal prices fluctuate favourably, less metals will be left behind. Mineralized waste processing however has limitations. The increase in mineralized waste processability has to be assessed to be able to consider it as potential a future resource. Multiple scenarios varying from conventional mining and processing practices to methods involving extensive waste management plans to prepare for future mineralized waste reprocessing. The scenarios will be evaluated using actual data alongside forecasted data and performing qualitative and quantitative analysis between the scenarios. The paper intends to establish the practicality of an effective and extensive waste management system and its benefits in life-of-mine planning.
