Reuse and valorization practices of mine tailings: a review of existing perspectives and advances

Abstract

Mine tailings are considered a negative waste group due to their high volume, environmental risks, potential leakage behavior, and storage problems. However, recent studies show that, considering their physical/chemical properties, these wastes have significant potential as secondary resources that can be utilized in various sectors. This study addresses the fact that mining waste is not only an environmental burden but can also be used as functional materials under appropriate conditions. Literature shows that applications focused on construction and building are prominent in the utilization of mining waste. For example, cemented paste backfill applications are widely used as a technology because they allow for the safe disposal of waste underground. Also, the use of waste as a precursor to bricks, ceramics, additional cementitious binders, or geopolymers shows promise in terms of mechanical performance and environmental gains; however, the success of these approaches largely depends on the mineralogical structure, chemical reactivity, and pretreatment requirements of the waste. Outside the construction sector, other studies also reveal the potential of mining waste for metal recovery, environmental remediation, and the use of functional additive materials. These examples demonstrate that the utilization of mining waste cannot be limited to a single technology and that the application must be determined specifically for the field conditions. Although the environmental risks and technical challenges of mining waste have been widely focused in literature, studies that comprehensively evaluate the potential use of these wastes in different sectors are relatively limited. This study provides a systematic synthesis of the literature, outlining viable application areas and conditions for the utilization of mining wastes.