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Tailings

Tailings are the finely ground waste rock and process effluent that remain after the extraction of valuable minerals from ore during mining operations. They typically consist of crushed rock, water and residual chemicals used in the mineral separation process, such as cyanide, sulphuric acid or flotation reagents. Tailings are usually stored in large engineered facilities called tailings storage facilities (TSFs) or tailings dams, which can span hundreds of hectares and contain millions of tonnes of material. The management of tailings is a critical environmental and safety challenge in the mining industry, as failures of tailings dams can result in catastrophic releases of toxic material, causing loss of life, environmental damage and long-term contamination of water sources. Notable tailings dam failures include the 2019 Brumadinho disaster in Brazil and the 2015 Samarco dam collapse, both of which resulted in significant casualties and environmental devastation. Modern tailings management practices focus on reducing water content through technologies such as paste tailings and dry stacking, improving dam design and stability monitoring, and implementing rigorous geotechnical investigation and ongoing surveillance. Regulatory frameworks in major mining jurisdictions increasingly require independent technical reviews, real-time monitoring systems and comprehensive closure planning for tailings facilities. The economic value of tailings is also being reconsidered, as advances in processing technology make it feasible to reprocess old tailings dumps to recover residual metals and reduce environmental liabilities. Tailings management remains a key focus area for mining companies, regulators and communities affected by mining operations across Africa and globally.

Tailings News


Metso mineral processing solution
Metso undertakes R&D pilot plant for Geological Survey of Finland
Updated 1 hour 55 minutes ago By: Marleny Arnoldi

Industrial machinery and engineering company Metso has signed an agreement with the Geological Survey of Finland (GTK) covering the engineering and delivery of process technology for GTK Mintec’s... 


Sibanye-Stillwater VP Chrome and Base Metals Babsie Crane.
Expansion plans pointing to 75% increase in Sibanye-Stillwater’s chrome volumes
31st July 2026 By: Martin Creamer

Chrome is a growing value contributor to the revenue base of Sibanye-Stillwater’s South Africa platinum group metals (PGM) portfolio, delivering margins, resilience and project support. Chrome has... 


A worker checking the operations on site
Gold major targets lower freshwater intake
10th July 2026 By: Devina Haripersad

The water recycling performance of global gold miner Gold Fields’ South Deep mine, in Gauteng, has improved from 78% in 2024 to 84% by the end of 2025 as part of efforts to reduce freshwater... 


Slope Stability X26 Conference & Expo
9th July 2026

10–11 September 2026 | The Garden Venue, Northriding, Johannesburg, South Africa Prevent the Next Slope Failure Before It Happens 


Image of iron-ore stockpile
Gongo Soco circular mining project, Brazil
19th June 2026 By: Sheila Barradas

Vale announced the implementation of the Gongo Soco circular mining project in April 2026 as part of its Circular Mining Program – Waste to Value. 


Ore recovered from the Klein Aub mine in Namibia
UMR notes progress at Namibia copper project, despite delay in concluding legal documents
8th June 2026 By: Creamer Media Reporter

London-listed Unicorn Mineral Resources (UMR) expects to sign legal documentation for its acquisition of a controlling stake in the Klein Aub copper mine, in Namibia, along with 5.6-million tonnes... 


Aerial view of the Ekapa mine
Ekapa mine placed on market as liquidators seek investor to preserve operations
11th May 2026 By: Creamer Media Reporter

The joint provisional liquidators of Ekapa Minerals and Ekapa Resources have launched a formal process to sell the Ekapa Diamond Mine, targeting both domestic and international investors, as... 


Image of tailings treatment operation
Daggafontein tailings storage facility, South Africa – update
8th May 2026 By: Sheila Barradas

First deposition is expected in first quarter of the financial year ending June 30, 2027. 


Image of gold pour
Mine Waste Solutions – Kareerand extension project, South Africa – update
8th May 2026 By: Sheila Barradas

The expansion of Mine Waste Solutions' retreatment operation supports production of about 100 000 oz/y of gold. The broader expansion included the addition of a fourth processing stream. 


Magazine cover image
How mining companies are innovating to address sustainable tailings management
24th April 2026 By: Sabrina Jardim

As South African mining companies face environmental and legacy issues brought about by the country’s long and complex mining history, it is becoming increasingly important to adopt responsible... 


Magazine cover image
How mining companies are innovating to address sustainable tailings management
24th April 2026 By: Sabrina Jardim

As South African mining companies face environmental and legacy issues brought about by the country’s long and complex mining history, it is becoming increasingly important to adopt responsible... 


The above image depicts 3 different samples
Sonic drilling critical to continuous high-quality core recovery
17th April 2026 By: Lynne Davies

In loose tailings material, where traditional drilling methods struggle, sonic drilling provides accurate stratigraphy and representative samples, improving confidence in assessments of... 


pumps and compressors on site
Precise dosing supports retreatment efficiency
17th April 2026 By: Devina Haripersad

Accurate tailings material reagent dosing and robust slurry handling are central to tailings retreatment performance, says mining pump solutions provider Watson-Marlow Fluid Technology Solutions... 


Tailings dam
Tailings retreatment, land restoration intertwined
17th April 2026 By: Devina Haripersad

Recovering gold from legacy tailings storage facilities (TSFs) and restoring land are not separate objectives, but outcomes of the same activity, says gold tailings reminer DRDGOLD CEO Niël... 


thickener
Dewatered tailings systems gaining traction
17th April 2026

Dewatered tailings systems are receiving increased attention as the mining and tailings retreatment industry responds to tailings storage facility (TSF) failures and evolving legislative... 


Sul Superior dam at the suspended Gongo Soco mine, in Brazil
Vale builds tailings reprocessing plant at defunct Gongo Soco mine
13th April 2026 By: Marleny Arnoldi

Brazil-headquartered iron-ore and nickel producer Vale is reinforcing the Minas Gerais region as a hub for iron-ore production from circular sources, having advanced a circular mining programme at... 


An image of the various speakers who participated in Creamer Media's mine tailings webinar on April 8
Panellists emphasise importance of policy implementation for effective tailings management, land rehabilitation
9th April 2026 By: Sabrina Jardim

While responsible tailings management and effective land rehabilitation are increasingly recognised as important for environmental protection, public health and sustainable economic development,... 


Harmony Gold CEO Beyers Nel (right) interviewed by Mining Weekly's Martin Creamer.
Harmony studying high-margin surface gold projects in Free State and West Wits
27th March 2026 By: Martin Creamer

Harmony Gold Mining Company is progressing studies to recover the gold from its Free State tailings dams as well as those that span the West Wits area around its Mponeng gold mine. The Johannesburg... 


An image of Multotec's spirals
Multotec highlights readiness to support burgeoning PGMs sector
24th March 2026 By: Tasneem Bulbulia

The recent recovery in platinum group metals (PGM) prices is resulting in increased activity in the sector, particularly in brownfield expansion projects, and mineral processing equipment leader... 


Goldplat reports higher interim net profit, revenue
Goldplat reports higher interim net profit, revenue
18th March 2026 By: Sabrina Jardim

Aim-listed Goldplat says it continued to achieve strong profitable results for the six months ended December 31, 2025, with net profit having increased by 133% year-on-year to £3.28-million. The... 


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