Mineral waste resources of Canada. Report no.2 - Mining wastes in Quebec

Abstract

Legislation restricting mining in many urban centres, exhaustion of ore deposits, and increased cost of locating and developing new orebodies have combined to focus attention on mineral wastes as possible supplemental sources of mineral raw material. Current annual production of such wastes by the mining industry of Canada is in the order of 350 million tons. Only a small quantity of this is used, however, because of such factors as remote location, low purity or lackof information on their nature and possible uses. Current applications include road construction and maintenance, railroad ballast, smelter flux, and mine backfill. Other uses being studied by researchers within and outside CANMET include the recovery of contained metal and minerals, the production of concrete and construction aggregate, the manufacture of bricks, blocks, and mineral wool insulation, and as a soil additive or neutralizer. This report provides background information on waste rock and mill tailings in Quebec which annually produces about 140 million tons. Data on the occurrence, mineralogy, physical and chemical characteristics -of wastes from thirty-three operating mines are provided in tabular form for the four principal types of mines - base metals, iron ore, precious metals, and industrial minerals. Potential uses for certain wastes are noted along with relevant research. Several of the mining and mineral processing wastes of Quebec are of particular interest. Asbestos tailings from the Eastern Townships contain potentially recoverable short fibre, magnesium, iron, nickel and chromium, and may also be useful for producing mineral wool. Waste rock and mill tailings from the recently defunct Hilton Mines Limited at Shawville hold promise-the former as construction aggregate, the latter for making drypressed building brick. Calcite tailings from the columbium oxide mine formerly operated at Oka by St. Lawrence Columbium and Metals Corporation Limited can serve as a neutralizer for acid soils and plant effluents. Tailings from Canadian Refractories Limited at Kilmar are of potential value as a source of refractory-grade magnesia. Future development of viable uses for mineral waste is a complex problem that will require the full co-operation of producers and potential consumers at all stages. Solutions, although difficult to find, will aid conservation of Canada's native, non-renewal mineral resources and help to reduce pollution.