Mining plays an essential role in resource-rich countries given that it constitutes a source of raw materials and incomes capable of contributing to the economic growth. However, with the intensive mechanisation of mining operations and the modernisation of the ore-processing technologies in view of increasing the productiveness, growing amounts of mineralised rocks are currently excavated from open pit and underground mines. The increase in mining productiveness observed worldwide raises the thorny issue of the mineral wastes’ environmentally friendly management considering their great polluting capacity. Mineral wastes are composed of waste rocks and mine tailings from the flotation beneficiation of ores. The present research reviews over times the worldwide in-force practices in the management of mineral wastes, with particular focus to waste rocks and tailings generated by the flotation beneficiation of ores in view of extracting metals of interest. It discusses environmental issues in relationship with the management of mineral wastes from the DR Congo mining industry, analyses the applicability of both emerging and established techniques to their management, and identifies opportunities for further research with the aim of gaining extended knowledge that can enable considering alternative management solutions. Addressing in deep the relevant issue of mineral waste management, relying on relevant illustrations could help improve practices in the Congolese mining industry as well as gathering data intended for mining operators, researchers and academics interested in mineral waste management.

采矿在资源丰富的国家发挥着重要作用，因为它构成了能够促进经济增长的原材料和收入来源。然而，随着采矿作业的集约化机械化和矿石加工技术的现代化以提高生产力，目前从露天和地下矿山开采的矿化岩石数量不断增加。考虑到其巨大的污染能力，世界范围内观察到的采矿生产率的提高提出了矿物废物的环境友好管理的棘手问题。矿物废料由矿石浮选产生的废石和尾矿组成。本研究多次回顾了世界范围内在矿物废物管理方面的有效做法，鉴于提取感兴趣的金属，特别关注由矿石浮选选矿产生的废石和尾矿。它讨论了与刚果民主共和国采矿业矿物废物管理相关的环境问题，分析了新兴和成熟技术对其管理的适用性，并确定了进一步研究的机会，目的是获得可以考虑替代方案的扩展知识管理解决方案。深入解决矿物废物管理的相关问题，依靠相关插图可以帮助改进刚果采矿业的实践，并为采矿经营者、研究人员和对矿物废物管理感兴趣的学者收集数据。