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Past, Present, and Future of Copper Mine Tailings Governance in Chile (1905–2022): A Review in One of the Leading Mining Countries in the World

Author

Listed:
  • Carlos Cacciuttolo

    (Civil Works and Geology Department, Catholic University of Temuco, Temuco 4780000, Chile)

  • Edison Atencio

    (School of Civil Engineering, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso, Av. Brasil 2147, Valparaíso 2340000, Chile
    Department of Management, Economics, and Industrial Engineering, Politecnico di Milano, Via Lambruschini 4b, Bovisa, 20156 Milan, Italy)

Abstract

How mine tailings storage facilities (TSF) are managed reflects the history, regulatory framework, and environment of a country and locale of the mine. Despite many attempts to find an environmentally friendly strategy for tailings management and governance that balances the needs of society and the ecosystem, there is no worldwide agreement regarding the best practices for tailings management and governance. This article reviews the evolution of copper tailings management and governance in Chile, current practices, and changes that could be or may need to be made to improve practices in response to local environmental conditions and local tolerance for risk. The progress to date in developing a holistic tailings management strategy is summarized. This article also describes recent proposals for the best available technologies (BATs), case histories of Chilean TSF using conventional technology, thickened tailings, paste tailings, filtered tailings, water use reduction, tailings reprocessing to obtain rare earth elements (REEs), circular economy, submarine deep-sea tailings disposal, and ways to avoid failure in a seismic region. Finally, the Chilean tailings industry’s pending issues and future challenges in reducing the socioenvironmental impacts of tailings are presented, including advances made and lessons learned in developing more environmentally friendly solutions.

Suggested Citation

  • Carlos Cacciuttolo & Edison Atencio, 2022. "Past, Present, and Future of Copper Mine Tailings Governance in Chile (1905–2022): A Review in One of the Leading Mining Countries in the World," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(20), pages 1-41, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:20:p:13060-:d:939160
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Schoenberger, Erica, 2016. "Environmentally sustainable mining: The case of tailings storage facilities," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 49(C), pages 119-128.
    2. Elizabeth J. Lam & Italo L. Montofré & Fernando A. Álvarez & Natalia F. Gaete & Diego A. Poblete & Rodrigo J. Rojas, 2020. "Methodology to Prioritize Chilean Tailings Selection, According to Their Potential Risks," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(11), pages 1-15, June.
    3. Franks, Daniel M. & Boger, David V. & Côte, Claire M. & Mulligan, David R., 2011. "Sustainable development principles for the disposal of mining and mineral processing wastes," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 36(2), pages 114-122, June.
    4. Carlos Cacciuttolo Vargas & Alex Marinovic Pulido, 2022. "Sustainable Management of Thickened Tailings in Chile and Peru: A Review of Practical Experience and Socio-Environmental Acceptance," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(17), pages 1-65, August.
    5. Araya, Natalia & Ramírez, Yendery & Cisternas, Luis A. & Kraslawski, Andrzej, 2021. "Use of real options to enhance water-energy nexus in mine tailings management," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 303(C).
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    Cited by:

    1. Carlos Cacciuttolo & Alex Marinovic, 2023. "Experiences of Underground Mine Backfilling Using Mine Tailings Developed in the Andean Region of Peru: A Green Mining Solution to Reduce Socio-Environmental Impacts," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(17), pages 1-27, August.
    2. Carlos Cacciuttolo & Deyvis Cano, 2023. "Spatial and Temporal Study of Supernatant Process Water Pond in Tailings Storage Facilities: Use of Remote Sensing Techniques for Preventing Mine Tailings Dam Failures," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(6), pages 1-32, March.

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