Abstract
The technological process of exploitation of mineral resources and processing of mined ores to cater to the market results, among other things, in a large amount of tailings deposed on tailing ponds. Because of the chemical composition of the material, the increasing amount of waste, and the mismanagement of recovery and reclamation of ponds, these ponds have become a significant element of negative impact on the surrounding ecosystem. Economics was behind the discharging of this material, resulting in tailing ponds created in inappropriate areas. There is an ongoing process of depositing tailings on old tailing ponds, although no special attention has been paid to the subsequent effect on the environment. Application of intelligent multi-criteria analysis AHP and PROMETHEE has been performed in this paper for the purpose of ranking the degree of negative impact on the environment of tailing ponds. Analysis is performed for five tailing ponds of MMCC (Mining Metallurgy Chemical Combine) “Trepča”, whereby two of the ponds are active and three inactive. The ponds are in relatively close proximity to the municipalities of Zvečan and Kosovska Mitrovica, to the north of Kosovo and Metohija, Republic of Serbia. In order to achieve the most objective results, the AHP and PROMETHEE methods were applied. By using these methods for calculations, the following ranking for the flotation tailing waste deposits was obtained, regarding their environmental impact: Žitkovac, Tvrđanski Do, Bostanište, Gornje Polje and Žarkov Potok. This result can contribute to the decision-making process of a prioritizing strategy for rehabilitation and remediation of these five flotation tailings. The analysis illustrates that application of intelligent multi-criteria analysis is a useful environmental management tool to be included in the decision-making process.
Highlights
Mining presents a significant element of economic development in every state
The method for ranking the effect of tailings on the surrounding ecosystem had to fulfil the following criteria: it should be in compliance with the concept of sustainable development; it should be in compliance with different cultural, social and organizational frameworks; it should be applicable to large and small companies and for large and small-scale environmental pollutants
Based on results of the calculation done by AHP and PROMETHEE methods, final alternative rank was given—tailing ponds according to the their negative impact to the environment
Summary
Mining presents a significant element of economic development in every state. It is known that the biggest environmental pollutant is the mining sector [1]. Mining is followed by a mass production of waste in the form of tailing on tailing ponds. They are often formed in areas which have other potential (agriculture, water supply, urban areas, water flows, etc.). All material left after the extraction of minerals or after the process of exploitation is waste, which when dumped on the deposit spot creates the tailing pond [2]. Vast areas are covered with mining tailings. Amounts of waste from mining in EU countries are around 400 Mt, and tailing waste is approximately 29% of total waste produced [3]
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