Mineral waste resources of Canada, report no.3 - mining wastes in British Columbia

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 waste accumulations as possible supplemental sources of mineral raw material. Current annual production of such wastes by the mining industry of Canada is about 800 million tonnes. Only a small portion of this is used because of such factors as remote location, low quality and lack of information on the nature of these wastes and possible applications. Current applications include road construction and maintenance, railroad ballast, smelter flux, and mine backfill. Uses being studied by CANMET researchers and others include the recovery of contained metals and minerals, the production of concrete and construction aggregate, the manufacture of bricks, blocks, and mineral wool insulation, and as a soil additive. This report provides background information on waste rock and mill tailings in British Columbia, where more than 300 million tonnes of such wastes are produced annually. Data on the occurrence, mineralogy, petrography, physical and chemical characteristics of wastes from twenty-seven operating mines are provided in tabular form for three principal types of mines - metal, nonmetallic or industrial mineral, and coal. Placer gold mines are not included. Potential uses for certain wastes are noted along with relevant research. The development of viable uses for mineral wastes is a complex problem that requires the cooperation of producers and potential consumers at all stages. Answers to this problem, although often difficult to find, will help conserve Canada's non-renewal mineral resources and aid in reducing pollution associated with some wastes.