Michael Fox of the Prospector News is joined by Imdex Chief Geoscientist Dr. Dave Lawie in discussion about mining Tailings. Tailings are the leftover rock that occurs after ore has been processed from a mining operation. These tailings can hold ore that was left behind in the process (the older the mine likely the more ore left behind due to old processing technology) These ores can create revenue streams and in the case of critical metals help to fill the supply shortage. The tailings left behind sit as liabilities on company’s balance sheets as they have to be maintained for environmental and safety issues. Finally, the handling of tailings is often the straw to break the camel’s back so to speak when it comes to permitting a mine operation.

Technology is improving today to allow companies to extract value from their tailings, while at the same time cleaning the environment and removing the liabilities from the environment. We discuss several case studies where companies are working with technology to achieve this goal. Particularly we talk about Nadia Mykytczuk of Mirarco Mining Innovation of Sudbury who is looking at Bio Leeching to clean up and neutralize the Pyrrhotite tailings from the nickel mining in the area and turn it into Iron, cobalt, nickel sulfur and silicon, five marketable commodities.

Finally, we discuss the holy grail and a mining industry that is circular without need for tailings.

Imdex