The potential economic contribution of mine waste to environmental rehabilitation

M.Sc.There has been significant development of new technology for the economic use of mining waste within recent years. The application of these new technologies makes the process of environmental rehabilitation less of a profit loss to mining companies and motivates them to take part in environmental rehabilitation. Apart from the financial benefit through redemption of costs, the economic use of mining waste, especially in the case of retreatment operations, may lead to the removal of waste from site, the removal of harmful substances, the recovery of economic minerals and job creation. The importance of the development and application of these technologies is emphasised through consideration of the different impacts of mining on the environment, the requirements by new environmental laws concerning mining activities in South Africa and the economic survival of the mining industry. This paper discusses the currently available and developing technologies to utilise mine waste economically by highlighting some of the most significant developments over the years. The paper then focuses on the uses of coalmine waste and associated regulations implemented to promote its economic use. The paper then continues to discuss other technology and techniques that can be applied to facilitate the economic use of mining waste. Lastly the paper examines whether mining companies in Gauteng and a few coal mines outside Gauteng are applying any of these technologies or are using their waste economically in other ways