Tailings in general, are often pointed at by environmentally active groups as evidence of the destruction that mining operations can wreak upon the planet. And to a degree, they have a valid point. In the past, non-environmentally friendly methods were the method of the day - profit at all costs being the main motivator. In todays modern mining environment, it is possible to find many mining operators continuing to engage in tailings disposal methods that are not environmentally friendly, particularly in developing nations where legislative requirements are far less than first world countries, and the need for quick cash overrules any environmental considerations.
There is, however, a strong push from the leading mining houses and their design consultants to support the cessation of unsustainable tailings disposal practises. Unsustainable, in the sense that continuing to blatantly pollute the local environment damages a mining company's social license to operate, and by default damages the social licenses of all mining companies. It is in the mining industry's best interests to support efforts to prevent and halt non-sustainable tailings disposal methods.
Reprocessing of old tailings dumps and dams has assisted in the cleaning up of legacy tailings dumps, with the reproccessed tailings being disposed of using a more effective method than a simple surface dump.
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