Verburg, R 2010, 'Potential environmental benefits of surface paste disposal', in R Jewell & AB Fourie (eds), Paste 2010: Proceedings of the Thirteenth International Seminar on Paste and Thickened Tailings, Australian Centre for Geomechanics, Perth, pp. 231-240, https://doi.org/10.36487/ACG_rep/1063_20_Verburg
(https://papers.acg.uwa.edu.au/p/1063_20_Verburg/)
Abstract: In most countries in the world today, disposal of tailings in traditional form (i.e. as a slurry) has come under 
increasing scrutiny due to the perceived risks associated with environmental impacts and dam safety. 
Pressures for change come from the many stakeholders that are involved with the development and 
operation of a mine, including decision-makers in the mining company, shareholders, auditors and 
reviewers, lending agencies and financial institutions, insurers, regulators, the local communities, and 
NGOs. These pressures are forcing the mining industry to seek innovative alternatives for disposal of 
tailings that will incorporate less risk and address the rising environmental and social concerns. 
The current trends are to reduce or even eliminate ponded water on top of tailings and to thicken tailings to 
facilitate alternative disposal configurations. Paste tailings have many potential environmental, economic 
and social benefits. This paper presents and discusses potential environmental benefits of surface paste 
disposal, such as the reduction in seepage volumes and contaminant migration. Also, this paper will address 
the potential advantages of paste with respect to increased chemical stability, including prevention of 
sulphide oxidation and acid generation. These benefits will be illustrated using case histories, in particular 
the ongoing studies in paste behaviour at Somincor’s Neves Corvo Mine in southern Portugal. The case 
studies demonstrate that disposal of high-pyrite tailings in the form of paste represents a feasible option, 
with proper cover design being a critical component of the placement and closure strategy.