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The Potential Re-Use of Saudi Mine Tailings in Mine Backfill: A Path towards Sustainable Mining in Saudi Arabia

Author

Listed:
  • Mohammed Hefni

    (Mining Engineering Department, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia)

  • Hussin A. M. Ahmed

    (Mining Engineering Department, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia)

  • Ebaa Shaikh Omar

    (Mining Engineering Department, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia)

  • Maaz A. Ali

    (Mining Engineering Department, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia)

Abstract

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia covers an area of approximately 2 million km 2 and is rich in natural resources that are necessary for industrial development. The estimated mineral wealth beneath the Kingdom’s soil is approximately USD 1.33 trillion, as reported by the Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources. The Kingdom’s vision for 2030 is to develop the mining sector to become the third pillar of the domestic economy. Therefore, exploration and mining activities are expected to accelerate over the next decade, which will lead to increased waste production. New executive regulations issued in January 2021 contain several sustainable elements related to the environment, social responsibility, and occupational health and safety. Therefore, this study aims to promote an example of sustainable mining activities in the Kingdom that could be adapted to meet the regulatory requirements. Cemented paste backfill samples of varying composition were made with waste materials from a Saudi copper mine for re-injection into underground mining cavities to minimize waste exposure to the environment. The samples were tested for unconfined compressive strength (UCS) after 7, 14, 28, 56, and 90 days of curing. Results from a statistically designed experiment technique show that the samples developed sufficient strength to be used in mine backfilling applications. Strong negative relationships were detected between the UCS and the water-to-binder ratio. There is strong potential for mine backfill technology to be applied to a wide range of Saudi Arabian mines to enhance the sustainability of the mining sector.

Suggested Citation

  • Mohammed Hefni & Hussin A. M. Ahmed & Ebaa Shaikh Omar & Maaz A. Ali, 2021. "The Potential Re-Use of Saudi Mine Tailings in Mine Backfill: A Path towards Sustainable Mining in Saudi Arabia," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(11), pages 1-18, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:13:y:2021:i:11:p:6204-:d:566428
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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. Idiano D’Adamo & Gianluca Lupi, 2021. "Sustainability and Resilience after COVID-19: A Circular Premium in the Fashion Industry," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(4), pages 1-5, February.
    3. Aleksandr Rakhmangulov & Konstantin Burmistrov & Nikita Osintsev, 2021. "Sustainable Open Pit Mining and Technical Systems: Concept, Principles, and Indicators," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(3), pages 1-24, January.
    4. Juliana Segura-Salazar & Luís Marcelo Tavares, 2018. "Sustainability in the Minerals Industry: Seeking a Consensus on Its Meaning," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(5), pages 1-38, May.
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    Cited by:

    1. Lidija Đurđevac Ignjatović & Vesna Krstić & Vlastimir Radonjanin & Violeta Jovanović & Mirjana Malešev & Dragan Ignjatović & Vanja Đurđevac, 2022. "Application of Cement Paste in Mining Works, Environmental Protection, and the Sustainable Development Goals in the Mining Industry," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(13), pages 1-13, June.
    2. Ali Y. Al-Bakri & Haitham M. Ahmed & Mohammed A. Hefni, 2023. "Eco-Sustainable Recycling of Cement Kiln Dust (CKD) and Copper Tailings (CT) in the Cemented Paste Backfill," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(4), pages 1-33, February.

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