Waste Rock

What this topic covers

Non-ore rock removed during mine development and production.

Core mine-to-refinery ideas

Waste rock can be geochemically benign or capable of generating contaminated drainage depending on mineralogy.

Segregation can help manage potentially reactive material separately.

Large waste-rock facilities also require physical stability and drainage planning.

Important tradeoffs

Geochemical behavior can change after rock is excavated, ground and exposed to air and water.

Measurement and accounting

Closure planning and monitoring should begin before production ends.

Lifecycle perspective

Tailings facility design, remediation procedures and treatment chemistry require site-specific specialists.