Abandoned Mine Reclamation Glossary
743 terms total — 24 showing — Last updated 07 Sep 2026
Rare earth element recovery pathway analysis
The systematic examination of methods to extract and recover economically valuable rare earth elements from mine waste materials, overburden, or tailings during reclamation operations. Analysis evaluates technical feasibility, environmental impact, and economic viability of recovery technologies.
Tailing Pond Remediation
The restoration and environmental treatment of impoundment areas where fine mineral waste and processing byproducts are...
tailings
Fine-grained waste material left over after extracting valuable minerals from ore during mining operations.
Tailings Characterization
The comprehensive physical, chemical, and geotechnical analysis of mining residues to determine their composition, conta...
Tailings Consolidation
The process of densifying and stabilizing fine mining waste materials stored in containment areas through gravity settli...
Tailings Consolidation Monitoring
Systematic measurement and tracking of settlement, density changes, and geotechnical behavior of mine tailings over time...
Tailings Consolidation Rate
The velocity at which mine waste solids compact and water drains from tailings storage facilities, measured as settlemen...
Tailings consolidation timeline
A predictive schedule documenting the temporal progression of tailings settling and densification from active deposition...
Tailings Dam Breaching Protocol
A structured procedure for safely removing or modifying tailings dams during abandonment to prevent catastrophic failure...
Tailings Geochemistry Characterization
The systematic laboratory and field analysis of the chemical composition, reactivity, and leaching potential of fine min...
Tailings Impoundment
A constructed or natural basin designed to contain mining waste slurry separated from ore during mineral processing. The...
Tailings impoundment decommissioning
The systematic closure and environmental stabilization of storage areas containing finely ground mine waste, including w...
Tailings Impoundment Reclosure
The process of permanently sealing, capping, or decommissioning tailings storage facilities to prevent environmental rel...
Tailings Impoundment Stability
The structural integrity and geotechnical safety of engineered containment systems that store fine mineral waste product...
Tailings Management
The systematic control, storage, and treatment of fine mineral waste (tailings) generated during mining operations to pr...
Tailings Management Facility
An engineered structure designed to contain, store, and manage mining waste slurry generated during ore processing and c...
Tailings Management Facility (TMF)
An engineered structure designed to safely contain mining waste solids and associated water, typically constructed with...
Tailings Pond
An impoundment structure designed to contain fine mineral waste and water byproducts separated from ore during mining op...
Tailings Pond Closure
The process of sealing, dewatering, and stabilizing surface impoundments containing mining byproducts to prevent contami...
Tailings Pond Consolidation
The process of densifying and settling fine mineral residues (tailings) in designated impoundment areas to reduce volume...
Tailings Pond Decant Water
The clarified supernatant water that separates from settled tailings solids in impoundment facilities, which often conta...
Tailings Pond Decommissioning
The process of safely closing and managing mine tailings impoundments to prevent environmental contamination and structu...
Tailings pond rehabilitation
The comprehensive restoration of impoundments containing fine mineral waste from mining operations, including structural...
Tailings Pond Remediation
The process of stabilizing, treating, or removing accumulated mine waste materials (tailings) stored in constructed pond...
Tailings Pond Revegetation
The process of establishing plant communities on inactive tailings impoundments to stabilize surfaces, reduce dust emiss...