XXXI International Mineral Processing Congress 2024 Proceedings/Washington, DC/Sep 29–Oct 3 3515
stability of facility structures. Moreover, the hazardous
waste content of historical tailings, including dust and
leachate, poses a geochemical threat. This can have wide-
ranging impacts on air quality, soil composition, ground-
water, surface water, and sediments, as well as the health of
both humans and the broader environment—considering
both physical and biological aspects. Additionally, the dan-
gerous waste stemming from the chemical composition of
the aqueous phase in tailings ponds raises concerns about
its influence on soil quality, groundwater, surface water,
and sediments, and the associated risks to human and envi-
ronmental health. Issues related to the incorrect closure of
historical tailings facilities further compound the risks. The
physical or chemical instability of these sites and their waste
materials can have detrimental effects on air quality, soil
integrity, groundwater, surface water, and sediments, pos-
ing risks to both human health and the broader environ-
ment—covering both physical and biological dimensions.
Beyond physical components, the social aspects of incorrect
closure, encompassing post-closure land use, access, and
management of livestock, crops, soil, and water, can sig-
nificantly impact human health and livelihoods. In light of
these multifaceted risks, it is paramount to institute effec-
tive management strategies for historical tailings. (Baker &
Thygesen, 2020).
Given the significant environmental and safety con-
cerns associated with historical tailings, the primary objec-
tive of this study is to develop an effective management
strategy that focuses on two main goals. First, to recover
valuable minerals from historical tailings, thereby reduc-
ing the environmental impact of these waste materials
while generating additional revenue. Second, to improve
the environmental safety of tailings storage by minimizing
the hazardous sulphide content, thereby mitigating poten-
tial acid mine drainage. These objectives aim to contribute
to the field of sustainable mining practices by enhancing
resource efficiency and environmental protection.
Elevated concentrations of heavy metals found in his-
torical tailings, including arsenic, cadmium, chromium,
lead, and mercury, are particularly noteworthy due to their
elevated toxicity. These metals, known for their high degree
of toxicity, hold a significant position among the priority
elements that pose a public health risk (Tchounwou et
al., 2012). It is noteworthy that, in the Cantung sample
received and studied here, these elements exhibit a com-
paratively low concentration. This emphasizes the envi-
ronmental impact of historical tailings and underscores
the need for thorough consideration and management of
these toxic elements. Less efficient extraction methods and
relatively low metal prices during active mining contribute
to the retention of significant minerals and metals within
these byproducts. To mitigate potential acid-generating or
contaminating effects, submerged storage is recommended
to prevent exposure to the atmosphere, emphasizing the
importance of strategic management.
Nevertheless, historical tailings hold the potential for
re-purposing as secondary resources through advanced
extraction technologies. By employing innovative methods,
mining companies can recover valuable metals and minerals
from historical tailings, simultaneously reducing the envi-
ronmental impact of these waste materials and generating
additional revenue. This approach aligns with responsible
mining principles, contributing to the efficient utilization
of existing resources and minimizing the necessity for new
mineral extraction.
The significance of deriving value from waste is under-
scored in the Natural Resources Canada Integrated Business
Plan (Natural Resources Canada, 2023). The plan advo-
cates for a comprehensive Canadian mine tailings inventory
database and emphasizes the need for a tailings sampling
program. These initiatives aim to catalog mine tailings sites
across the country and obtain representative samples, essen-
tial for optimizing the extraction of value from waste mate-
rials, including historical tailings. Additionally, the plan
highlights the importance of developing mineral processing
flowsheets applicable to recovering critical minerals from
these historical tailings.
This strategic focus aligns seamlessly with broader ini-
tiatives, such as the Mining Value from Waste Program
within CanmetMINING dedicated to testing flowsheets
for the recovery of critical minerals. The overall alignment
with secondary sources underscores the commitment to
sustainable practices and resource efficiency in the mining
industry.
This study concentrates on tailings samples from the
historical Cantung mine, known for its potential in mining
critical metals and minerals. The former Cantung tungsten
mine, situated in the Nahanni area of the western Northwest
Territories, Canada, lies within the Selwyn Mountain
Range in the Flat River Valley (Delaney &Bakker, 2014).
Accessible via a 306-kilometer road northeast of Watson
Lake, Yukon, or its on-site airstrip, the mine is within the
Flat River catchment area, adjacent to the South Nahanni
River in the Nahanni National Park Reserve of Canada, a
UNESCO World Heritage Site. The tailings were gener-
ated from the processing of scheelite, and chalcopyrite
minerals, with a considerable amount of valuable minerals
ending up in the tailings due to low concentrate recoveries
(NATCL, 2014).
stability of facility structures. Moreover, the hazardous
waste content of historical tailings, including dust and
leachate, poses a geochemical threat. This can have wide-
ranging impacts on air quality, soil composition, ground-
water, surface water, and sediments, as well as the health of
both humans and the broader environment—considering
both physical and biological aspects. Additionally, the dan-
gerous waste stemming from the chemical composition of
the aqueous phase in tailings ponds raises concerns about
its influence on soil quality, groundwater, surface water,
and sediments, and the associated risks to human and envi-
ronmental health. Issues related to the incorrect closure of
historical tailings facilities further compound the risks. The
physical or chemical instability of these sites and their waste
materials can have detrimental effects on air quality, soil
integrity, groundwater, surface water, and sediments, pos-
ing risks to both human health and the broader environ-
ment—covering both physical and biological dimensions.
Beyond physical components, the social aspects of incorrect
closure, encompassing post-closure land use, access, and
management of livestock, crops, soil, and water, can sig-
nificantly impact human health and livelihoods. In light of
these multifaceted risks, it is paramount to institute effec-
tive management strategies for historical tailings. (Baker &
Thygesen, 2020).
Given the significant environmental and safety con-
cerns associated with historical tailings, the primary objec-
tive of this study is to develop an effective management
strategy that focuses on two main goals. First, to recover
valuable minerals from historical tailings, thereby reduc-
ing the environmental impact of these waste materials
while generating additional revenue. Second, to improve
the environmental safety of tailings storage by minimizing
the hazardous sulphide content, thereby mitigating poten-
tial acid mine drainage. These objectives aim to contribute
to the field of sustainable mining practices by enhancing
resource efficiency and environmental protection.
Elevated concentrations of heavy metals found in his-
torical tailings, including arsenic, cadmium, chromium,
lead, and mercury, are particularly noteworthy due to their
elevated toxicity. These metals, known for their high degree
of toxicity, hold a significant position among the priority
elements that pose a public health risk (Tchounwou et
al., 2012). It is noteworthy that, in the Cantung sample
received and studied here, these elements exhibit a com-
paratively low concentration. This emphasizes the envi-
ronmental impact of historical tailings and underscores
the need for thorough consideration and management of
these toxic elements. Less efficient extraction methods and
relatively low metal prices during active mining contribute
to the retention of significant minerals and metals within
these byproducts. To mitigate potential acid-generating or
contaminating effects, submerged storage is recommended
to prevent exposure to the atmosphere, emphasizing the
importance of strategic management.
Nevertheless, historical tailings hold the potential for
re-purposing as secondary resources through advanced
extraction technologies. By employing innovative methods,
mining companies can recover valuable metals and minerals
from historical tailings, simultaneously reducing the envi-
ronmental impact of these waste materials and generating
additional revenue. This approach aligns with responsible
mining principles, contributing to the efficient utilization
of existing resources and minimizing the necessity for new
mineral extraction.
The significance of deriving value from waste is under-
scored in the Natural Resources Canada Integrated Business
Plan (Natural Resources Canada, 2023). The plan advo-
cates for a comprehensive Canadian mine tailings inventory
database and emphasizes the need for a tailings sampling
program. These initiatives aim to catalog mine tailings sites
across the country and obtain representative samples, essen-
tial for optimizing the extraction of value from waste mate-
rials, including historical tailings. Additionally, the plan
highlights the importance of developing mineral processing
flowsheets applicable to recovering critical minerals from
these historical tailings.
This strategic focus aligns seamlessly with broader ini-
tiatives, such as the Mining Value from Waste Program
within CanmetMINING dedicated to testing flowsheets
for the recovery of critical minerals. The overall alignment
with secondary sources underscores the commitment to
sustainable practices and resource efficiency in the mining
industry.
This study concentrates on tailings samples from the
historical Cantung mine, known for its potential in mining
critical metals and minerals. The former Cantung tungsten
mine, situated in the Nahanni area of the western Northwest
Territories, Canada, lies within the Selwyn Mountain
Range in the Flat River Valley (Delaney &Bakker, 2014).
Accessible via a 306-kilometer road northeast of Watson
Lake, Yukon, or its on-site airstrip, the mine is within the
Flat River catchment area, adjacent to the South Nahanni
River in the Nahanni National Park Reserve of Canada, a
UNESCO World Heritage Site. The tailings were gener-
ated from the processing of scheelite, and chalcopyrite
minerals, with a considerable amount of valuable minerals
ending up in the tailings due to low concentrate recoveries
(NATCL, 2014).