What are mill tailings?

What are mill tailings?

• A. Discarded materials from ore treatment processes.
• B. A quarrying technique.
• C. A natural rock formation.
• D. A type of mining tool.

Answer: (A)

Mill tailings are the discarded materials from ore treatment processes. After ore is mined and ground, the valuable minerals are separated, leaving a fine slurry of crushed rock, water, and processing chemicals. This waste material, the tailings, remains after the ore has been processed. They’re usually stored in tailings ponds and must be managed to prevent environmental contamination. They’re not the result of a quarrying technique, not a natural rock formation, and not a mining tool.

Mill tailings are the discarded materials from ore treatment processes. After ore is mined and ground, the valuable minerals are separated, leaving a fine slurry of crushed rock, water, and processing chemicals. This waste material, the tailings, remains after the ore has been processed. They’re usually stored in tailings ponds and must be managed to prevent environmental contamination. They’re not the result of a quarrying technique, not a natural rock formation, and not a mining tool.