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24-018
Circular Economy in the Metallurgical Mining Industry
Edwilde Yoplac
Universidad Nacional de Ingenieria, Lima, Peru
Orfelinda Avalo
Universidad Nacional de Ingenieria, Lima, Peru
David Martinez
Universidad Nacional de Ingenieria, Lima, Peru
Kevin Sierra
Universidad Nacional de Ingenieria, Lima, Peru
Julio Guizado
Compañia Minera Poderosa, La Libertad, Peru
ABSTRACT
Mining tailings are slurry byproducts of mineral recovery.
They generate serious environmental risks due to their tox-
icity when exposed to water and oxygen. Studies focus on
eco-friendly alternatives for mitigating these environmen-
tal impacts. Processing these tailings enables a sustainable
mineral production model through circular economy prac-
tices. This study evaluates using gold mining tailings to
recover gold and produce bricks. Flotation tests obtained
a concentrate with 86.66% gold recovery, containing sul-
fides (pyrite, arsenopyrite) and a tailing with silicates and
oxides suitable for brick manufacturing and ornamental
pieces. This approach promotes eco-friendly solutions and
a greener approach to mining operations.
INTRODUCTION
The circular economy is an economic and systemic approach
aimed at optimizing the use of resources, minimizing waste
generation, and promoting sustainability. Unlike the tra-
ditional linear model of production and consumption, in
which resources are extracted, used, and disposed eventu-
ally, the circular economy approach seeks to create a closed-
loop system, where products, components, and materials
are kept in use for as long as possible (Sanchez et al., 2021).
The primary objective of the circular economy is
to maximize efficiency in the use of resources, reducing
waste generation and the extraction of new resources. This
includes the reuse, recycling, and valorization of materials
and products at the end of their useful life. By doing so,
these materials can become resources for other production
processes (Lacy, 2020).
In mining, particularly in mineral processing and in
some hydrometallurgical processes, tailings are generated in
large amounts, since the main objective of these processes is
to recover the valuable compounds found in small quanti-
ties through concentrates and metals. Mine tailings repre-
sent a substantial volume of waste generated by the mining
industry, which leads to significant environmental and sus-
tainability challenges. This is magnified due to the potential
presence of toxic chemicals and heavy metals within the
tailings, which, if not managed properly, can lead to soil,
water, and ecosystem contamination. These tailings may
contain valuable minerals that were not recovered during
the initial extraction process (Zamora et al., 2019).
The application of circular economy in tailings manage-
ment allows the recovery of these resources, which can have
a positive economic impact and reduce associated environ-
mental risks, such as soil and groundwater contamination.
The circular economy, in this context, promotes more sus-
tainable approaches to tailings management (Zamora et al.,
2019). Tailings characterization techniques have been stud-
ied to identify valuable components and develop separation
and recovery processes. In addition, the use of tailings as
a raw material in the production of construction materi-
als, such as bricks and ornamental products, or as fill mate-
rial in the remediation of mining areas has been explored
(Perales and Bascompta, 2021). This paper aims to analyze
the challenges and issues associated with tailings manage-
ment within the mining industry and provide recommen-
dations and solutions for the effective implementation of
circular economy strategies in this domain. In the specific
case of this work, the objectives are as follows:
24-018
Circular Economy in the Metallurgical Mining Industry
Edwilde Yoplac
Universidad Nacional de Ingenieria, Lima, Peru
Orfelinda Avalo
Universidad Nacional de Ingenieria, Lima, Peru
David Martinez
Universidad Nacional de Ingenieria, Lima, Peru
Kevin Sierra
Universidad Nacional de Ingenieria, Lima, Peru
Julio Guizado
Compañia Minera Poderosa, La Libertad, Peru
ABSTRACT
Mining tailings are slurry byproducts of mineral recovery.
They generate serious environmental risks due to their tox-
icity when exposed to water and oxygen. Studies focus on
eco-friendly alternatives for mitigating these environmen-
tal impacts. Processing these tailings enables a sustainable
mineral production model through circular economy prac-
tices. This study evaluates using gold mining tailings to
recover gold and produce bricks. Flotation tests obtained
a concentrate with 86.66% gold recovery, containing sul-
fides (pyrite, arsenopyrite) and a tailing with silicates and
oxides suitable for brick manufacturing and ornamental
pieces. This approach promotes eco-friendly solutions and
a greener approach to mining operations.
INTRODUCTION
The circular economy is an economic and systemic approach
aimed at optimizing the use of resources, minimizing waste
generation, and promoting sustainability. Unlike the tra-
ditional linear model of production and consumption, in
which resources are extracted, used, and disposed eventu-
ally, the circular economy approach seeks to create a closed-
loop system, where products, components, and materials
are kept in use for as long as possible (Sanchez et al., 2021).
The primary objective of the circular economy is
to maximize efficiency in the use of resources, reducing
waste generation and the extraction of new resources. This
includes the reuse, recycling, and valorization of materials
and products at the end of their useful life. By doing so,
these materials can become resources for other production
processes (Lacy, 2020).
In mining, particularly in mineral processing and in
some hydrometallurgical processes, tailings are generated in
large amounts, since the main objective of these processes is
to recover the valuable compounds found in small quanti-
ties through concentrates and metals. Mine tailings repre-
sent a substantial volume of waste generated by the mining
industry, which leads to significant environmental and sus-
tainability challenges. This is magnified due to the potential
presence of toxic chemicals and heavy metals within the
tailings, which, if not managed properly, can lead to soil,
water, and ecosystem contamination. These tailings may
contain valuable minerals that were not recovered during
the initial extraction process (Zamora et al., 2019).
The application of circular economy in tailings manage-
ment allows the recovery of these resources, which can have
a positive economic impact and reduce associated environ-
mental risks, such as soil and groundwater contamination.
The circular economy, in this context, promotes more sus-
tainable approaches to tailings management (Zamora et al.,
2019). Tailings characterization techniques have been stud-
ied to identify valuable components and develop separation
and recovery processes. In addition, the use of tailings as
a raw material in the production of construction materi-
als, such as bricks and ornamental products, or as fill mate-
rial in the remediation of mining areas has been explored
(Perales and Bascompta, 2021). This paper aims to analyze
the challenges and issues associated with tailings manage-
ment within the mining industry and provide recommen-
dations and solutions for the effective implementation of
circular economy strategies in this domain. In the specific
case of this work, the objectives are as follows: