Sustainable contributions of the use of phosphorus, potassium, coal and natural stone mine wastes in soil improvement and agriculture – A review

The need for sustainable utilization of mine wastes is increasing day by day. One of the uses that can meet this need is the use of mine wastes in agriculture and soil improvement. There is a lack of information in the literature about which mine wastes can be utilized for this purpose and what kind of sustainability contributions each of these wastes makes. In the literature, it is noteworthy that studies on the use of phosphate, potassium, coal and natural stone mine wastes as fertilizers in agriculture or in soil improvement have been carried out more intensively compared to other mine wastes, and the high capacity of these mine wastes to nourish the soil. Accordingly, in this study, the literature on the use of selected mining wastes in soil remediation and agriculture was reviewed. Firstly, the contributions to sustainability criteria of these mine wastes in agriculture and soil remediation were determined. Studies in the literature were reviewed, and the sustainability criteria to which these mine wastes contribute were also determined. Additionally, as a result of the studies conducted, it was also revealed which mine wastes contribute to each sustainability criterion. In this study, it was determined that the sustainable contributions of the selected mine wastes in agriculture & soil improvement were at a high level. According to the literature, applicable results can be obtained when these mine wastes are mixed with other wastes such as domestic or industrial wastes.