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Unlocking Value and Sustainability: Reprocessing Cantung
Historical Mine Tailings for Tungsten and Copper
Maziar E. Sauber, Antonio Di Feo
CanmetMINING, Natural Resources Canada, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Arik J. A. Collins
CanmetMINING, Natural Resources Canada, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
The Robert M. Buchan Department of Mining, Smith Engineering, Queen’s University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada
Charlotte Gibson
The Robert M. Buchan Department of Mining, Smith Engineering, Queen’s University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada
ABSTRACT: This study focuses on repurposing Cantung mine’s historical tailings in Canada to recover valuable
minerals including tungsten (scheelite) and copper while addressing environmental concerns. By integrating
mineral processing techniques including gravity separation, magnetic separation, flotation, and caustic soda
leaching, the project aims to optimize mineral recovery while minimizing environmental impacts. This approach
aligns with both critical raw material supply concerns and circular economy principles. The study highlights the
potential to extract value from historical tailings, contributing to sustainable resource management. The dual
objectives of resource recovery and environmental remediation exemplify the evolving landscape of responsible
mining practices, underscoring these initiatives’ importance.
Keywords: Flotation, Tailings, Reprocessing, Desulphurization, Chalcopyrite, Scheelite, Tungsten, Leaching
INTRODUCTION
Tailings, a byproduct of mineral extraction, represent a sub-
stantial global waste stream, covering a significant expanse
of the Earth’s surface in the form of heaps, expansive surface
impoundments (commonly referred to as tailings dams),
and other storage facilities (Hudson-Edwards et al., 2011
Lottermoser, 2011, 2010). These remnants are comprised
of a mixture of ground rock, water, and chemical reagents
utilized in the extraction process, with their composition
varying based on the ore deposit’s mineralogy and the
employed processing methods. These tailings find residence
in various storage facilities, such as impoundments, pits, or
underground repositories, necessitating effective manage-
ment to avert environmental degradation and ensure the
safety of nearby communities.
Historical tailings introduce a variety of risks, both
during their operational phase and in the aftermath of min-
ing cessation. One major concern is the potential loss of
structural integrity, where the physical movement of waste,
water, and construction materials can lead to land displace-
ment, surface water transport, and airborne dust. These
movements have far-reaching consequences, affecting
human safety, the integrity of downstream environments—
both in terms of physical and biological aspects—and the
Unlocking Value and Sustainability: Reprocessing Cantung
Historical Mine Tailings for Tungsten and Copper
Maziar E. Sauber, Antonio Di Feo
CanmetMINING, Natural Resources Canada, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Arik J. A. Collins
CanmetMINING, Natural Resources Canada, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
The Robert M. Buchan Department of Mining, Smith Engineering, Queen’s University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada
Charlotte Gibson
The Robert M. Buchan Department of Mining, Smith Engineering, Queen’s University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada
ABSTRACT: This study focuses on repurposing Cantung mine’s historical tailings in Canada to recover valuable
minerals including tungsten (scheelite) and copper while addressing environmental concerns. By integrating
mineral processing techniques including gravity separation, magnetic separation, flotation, and caustic soda
leaching, the project aims to optimize mineral recovery while minimizing environmental impacts. This approach
aligns with both critical raw material supply concerns and circular economy principles. The study highlights the
potential to extract value from historical tailings, contributing to sustainable resource management. The dual
objectives of resource recovery and environmental remediation exemplify the evolving landscape of responsible
mining practices, underscoring these initiatives’ importance.
Keywords: Flotation, Tailings, Reprocessing, Desulphurization, Chalcopyrite, Scheelite, Tungsten, Leaching
INTRODUCTION
Tailings, a byproduct of mineral extraction, represent a sub-
stantial global waste stream, covering a significant expanse
of the Earth’s surface in the form of heaps, expansive surface
impoundments (commonly referred to as tailings dams),
and other storage facilities (Hudson-Edwards et al., 2011
Lottermoser, 2011, 2010). These remnants are comprised
of a mixture of ground rock, water, and chemical reagents
utilized in the extraction process, with their composition
varying based on the ore deposit’s mineralogy and the
employed processing methods. These tailings find residence
in various storage facilities, such as impoundments, pits, or
underground repositories, necessitating effective manage-
ment to avert environmental degradation and ensure the
safety of nearby communities.
Historical tailings introduce a variety of risks, both
during their operational phase and in the aftermath of min-
ing cessation. One major concern is the potential loss of
structural integrity, where the physical movement of waste,
water, and construction materials can lead to land displace-
ment, surface water transport, and airborne dust. These
movements have far-reaching consequences, affecting
human safety, the integrity of downstream environments—
both in terms of physical and biological aspects—and the