Mine tailings refer to the material left over after the material of interest has been removed from ore (material present at the tail of production). It may pose a number of hazards.
If a liquid slurry is produced by mixing finely crushed ore with water, then this may stored in “lakes” behind a dam. If the dam is breached then the slurry may descend on people living downstream or into a body of water.
If toxic chemicals are present (either in the mined material or to aid in extraction of product), then this may be released into groundwater or into other sources of drinking water. In the past toxic slurries were discharged into bays or the ocean poisoning fish.
Unstable heaps of dry tailings may collapse in heavy rain, forming a lahar-like material.
Risk factors for a serious problem with mine tailings:
(1) cost cutting
(2) country with lax controls
(3) earthquake
(4) heavy rains or flooding
(5) explosion
(6) mountainous region
(7) people living nearby
(8) long period after mine closure
(9) unskilled workers or supervision
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