Abstract
Mapping the raw material (RM) potential of anthropogenic RMs, such as tailings, requires a comprehensive assessment and classification. However, a simple procedure to quickly screen for potentially viable RMs recovery projects similar to reconnaissance exploration of natural mineral RMs is missing. In this article, a quick and efficient approach to systematically screen tailings storage facilities (TSFs) is presented to evaluate if a particular TSF meets the criteria to be assessed in a more advanced study including costly on-site exploration. Based on aspects related to a TSF’s contents, physical structure, surroundings, potential environmental and social impacts, and potentially affected stakeholders, it guides its user in compiling the information at local scale in a structured manner compliant with the United Nations Framework Classification for Resources (UNFC). The test application to the TSF Bollrich (Germany), situated in a complex environment close to various stakeholders, demonstrates that a quick and remote assessment with publicly accessible information is possible. Since an assessment of tailings under conventional classification codes from the primary mining industry neglects relevant aspects, it is concluded that tailings should be considered as anthropogenic RMs. The developed screening approach can help to create a TSF inventory which captures project potentials and barriers comprehensively.
Highlights
IntroductionHumanity faces the challenge of supplying a growing world population with electric energy while transitioning to a decarbonised electric energy generation
This induces a potential supply risk which is aggravated by political conflicts, speculations on stock markets and the fact that many mineral raw material (RM) are produced in a few countries only
RMs and they are available in vast amounts: for instance, the world’s largest waste stream, mineralised waste, is produced in an estimated range of 20–25 Gt/a [15]
Summary
Humanity faces the challenge of supplying a growing world population with electric energy while transitioning to a decarbonised electric energy generation. The construction and operation of decarbonised electric energy generation will significantly increase the demand for industrial minerals, as well as for base and high-tech metals [1,2,3,4]. Most of the required raw materials (RMs) for the energy transition are produced outside the European Union (EU) [5]. This induces a potential supply risk which is aggravated by political conflicts, speculations on stock markets and the fact that many mineral RMs are produced in a few countries only. China is the global main producer of 24 out of 53 mineral RMs assessed by the German Raw Materials Agency (DERA) and is amongst the top 3 producers of other 11 mineral RMs [6]
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