Tailings constitute the main waste to be managed due to their extreme toxicity and large volumes, generating a highly negative impact perception when stored. They require a permanent risk assessment system.
As there are few proper spaces for tailings disposal in the environment and they represent a significant cost to be paid to the community, it is necessary to explore new efficient alternatives to improve their disposal or find other uses to turn them into useful products or, if they still have some economic value, continue working on them.
However, for this second approach it is difficult to find practical applications for tailings because the high water content turn their management very complex. Tailings can be used for mine closure (cover the hole), but it requires treatment with stabilizers to avoid leaching of metals.
Sound technologies and/or business models are needed for new alternatives to use tailings in other industries or activities.