Mining industry and tailings disposal

The existing base of experience regarding disposal of waste rock and tailings and environmental assessments relating to the use of chemicals in the mining industry have been collated. National and international experience has been applied, with a focus on disposal of tailings in the marine environment. Sea disposal requires fulfilment of a number of prerequisites in terms of both knowledge of the area where disposal is planned, design of the outfall system and requirements on the actual discharge. There is also an emphasis on identifying knowledge gaps related to the dispersal of tailings and environmental impact.