Current Status of the Comprehensive Utilization of Metallic Mine Tailings in China

Metallic mine tailings are a kind of secondary resources that contain trace quantities of metal minerals and substantial amounts of non-metallic minerals. In the last decade, the development and utilization of metal ores and metal tailings have been growing at a high speed. Preliminary estimates show that the emissions from the tailings in China amount to 1.3~1.4 billion tons in 2011, but the comprehensive utilization rate of tailings is less than 10%. To more effectively develop and utilize the tailing resources in China, this paper reviews the current status and achievements of the two ways of tailing utilization-tailing re-concentration and overall use, based on analysis of the general tailing characteristics and the metal ore resources development and tailings status in the last ten years. Strengthening the comprehensive utilization of tailings is not only one of the ways out of predicaments for some mines, but can also bring about long-term economic, social and environmental benefits.