cross-posted from: https://slrpnk.net/post/5856215

Good article that shows how mine dumps can be reclaimed to support human use (drive in) and how re-mining of wastes can be feasible in some cases

  • Track_Shovel@slrpnk.netOP
    link
    fedilink
    English
    arrow-up
    4
    ·
    9 months ago

    I don’t want to say this happens ‘a lot’ but it’s not uncommon. I have a site on my roster where they re-mined their tailings for beryllium… in the 80s. That said, while remining does happen, we need to be careful of buying into greenwashing and the argument that since a couple mines have had success with remining, that it is sufficient reason not to conduct progressive reclamation or advance closure efforts. A lot of mines have not planned for closure, and 70% of mines do not complete their mine plan (in that they sell to someone else or go bankrupt, resulting in an abandoned mine).