Mining waste management: Extending sustainability options across economic, social and environmental boundaries

Figures & data

Table 1. The six research and development projects, 2002–09

Project description
Reduction in atmospheric emissions through cleaner production
Within mine boundary
1. Cleaner production in the primary extractive process through integrated spontaneous combustion control and management at an opencast coal mine
Beyond mine boundary
2. Regional air quality public–private partnership in cleaner production and beneficiation with a multilateral organisation
Minimisation of mining waste residues through beneficiation
Within mine boundary
3. Minimisation of primary residues: beneficiation of electric furnace slag
4. Minimisation of secondary residues: beneficiation of water treatment plant sludge (gypsum)
5. Secondary-level beneficiation of residues leading to the manufacturing of products: beneficiation of residues into housing systems
Beyond mine boundary
6. Residue beneficiation: framework for secondary beneficiation of upstream waste residues

Figure 1. Prototypes of energy-efficient housing using slag

Source: Ferraz (2012).

Figure 2. Proposed approach of networked elements

Source: Ferraz (2013).

Figure 3. Collaborative approach for secondary beneficiation of mining waste residues

Source: Ferraz (2012).

Ferraz, MFF, 2012. Sustainability beyond mining: Transformations in systems for secondary beneficiation. Unpublished doctoral thesis, University of Johannesburg, Johannesburg.

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Ferraz, MFF, 2013. Beyond mining: Sustainability and sustainable development – Sustainability orientated model. In MISTRA (Mapungubwe Institute for Strategic Reflection), South Africa and the Global Hydrogen Economy: The strategic role of platinum group metals. Real African, Johannesburg, 291–323.

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