Management of waste from extractive industries: The new European reference document on the Best Available Techniques

Abstract

The impacts from an inappropriate management of extractive waste may endanger the environment or human health and even result in disasters. The Best Available Techniques (BAT) Reference Document for the Management of Waste from Extractive Industries provides up-to-date information and data on the management of extractive waste and a list of BAT to prevent or reduce any related adverse effects on the environment and human health. The elaboration of BAT constituted a major challenge due to the vast diversity in extractive waste activities, sectors, geography, climatic and site specific conditions in Europe. These all influence the resulting emissions to soil, water and air. The application of a risk-specific approach has enabled reflecting this diversity and adapting the deployment of techniques according to an evaluation of the environmental risks and possible impacts. Based on this evaluation, generic and/or risk-specific BAT are identified as cornerstones for setting performance objectives and managing risk.A key priority for this reference document was safety. On the one hand, this was addressed by risk-specific BAT on structural stability, including approaches for design for closure and integrated design. On the other hand, BAT were identified to help ensuring the physical and chemical stability of extractive waste and the reduction of dangerous substances. The re-use and recycle of excess water and waste hierarchy principles were also analysed as central elements towards a circular economy. The monitoring of this reference document implementation will support the continuous learning and the international developments in extractive waste management and related BAT.