Abstract
Mining companies, communities and governments recognize that mine waste, contaminated water and land pollution damage lives and livelihoods but also threaten the development of the mining sector. The mining industry has acknowledged that preventing catastrophic tailings dam incidents with zero fatalities and environmental protection is fundamental and achievable. Mining companies, industry bodies, consulting companies and regulators have been continually improving best practice guidelines for the construction and management of tailings and mine waste.
The pre-disposal treatment of the tailings, especially degree of de-watering, influences design and management of the tailings storage facility. Tailings can be stored as wet slurry, thickened, paste, dry cake or a mix of tailings and coarse waste. The latest methodologies and the best practice towards improved tailings management approaches that can lead to improved environmental outcomes and substantial competitive advantages have to be considered for the selection of disposal methodology. The goal is to reduce overall costs for tailings and mine waste management systems, decrease the footprint of tailings facilities, prevent, or mitigate risks to the environment and human health and minimize the time required for long-term monitoring and maintenance. To find the best solution for the mine waste, tailings and mine water storages for the specific site, the number of factors have to be considered. The goal is to find technical solutions that are both practical and economical so mine waste and tailings, whether solid or liquid, can be disposed while respecting regulations related to an area of activity.
This paper is to discuss development of design options and multicriteria decision-making assessment tool used to facilitates option selection.