Towards a database for the valorisation of tailings in mining regions-method and preliminary results

Abstract

For many years, coal has been the main economic engine of several European regions, including the province of Leon in the northwest of Spain. However, the ongoing energy transition has led to a massive closure of coal mines and high uncertainty within the mining industry. The current decline of the mining sector in these regions has triggered severe depopulation, jobs losses and a general industrial decay. Valorisation of tailings has proved effective as a way of revitalising these areas, but more knowledge is needed in order to fully exploit this potential. This study presents a method for the development of a new database with information on existing tailings in the province of Leon, based on scattered data extracted from public resources. The database includes a comprehensive set of data related to these tailings, including administrative, geographical and geological data. The purpose of this database is to constitute a valuable source of information of the existing mineral resources of the region, as well as to raise awareness on the great potential for technological valorisation of these raw and specific materials. Preliminary results and conclusions are reported. Further development of this work is expected to have positive effects regarding transfer and generation of knowledge, business opportunities and social recovery of the region, all in line with the UN Sustainable Development Goals, the priorities of the European Commission on raw materials and the Circular Economy strategy.