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Review of Practices in the Managements of Mineral Wastes: The Case of Waste Rocks and Mine Tailings

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Abstract

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.

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Acknowledgements

I gratefully thank professors Pierre Kalenga Ngoy (posthumously), Arthur Kaniki Tshiamala and Kitobo Samson from the Applied Sciences Faculty (University of Lubumbashi) as well as academics and practitioners, from different regions of the world, given that their different researches and high quality publications on the management of mine wastes and flotation tailings, and particularly those generated by the copper industry of Katanga (DR Congo), have usefully inspired and served me in the preparation of the present article.

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  1. Chemical Department, Inorganic Chemistry Unit, Faculty of the Sciences, University of Lubumbashi, Likasi Avenue, P.O. Box 1825, City of Lubumbashi, Haut-Katanga Province, Democratic Republic of the Congo

    L. M. Shengo

  2. Department of Process Engineering, Chemical and Metallurgical Unit, Higher School of Industrial Engineering, University of Lubumbashi, Kasapa Road, City of Lubumbashi, Haut-Katanga Province, Democratic Republic of the Congo

    L. M. Shengo

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Shengo, L.M. Review of Practices in the Managements of Mineral Wastes: The Case of Waste Rocks and Mine Tailings. Water Air Soil Pollut 232, 273 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11270-021-05198-w

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