Economic comparison of different tailings management methods using present worth of costs: a case study of processing plants in eastern and central Iran

Authors: Mirshekari, B; Emadi, M; Marghzar, SH; Namin, HPK Download Paper Open access courtesy of:

DOI https://doi.org/10.36487/ACG_repo/2655_48

Cite As:
Mirshekari, B, Emadi, M, Marghzar, SH & Namin, HPK 2026, 'Economic comparison of different tailings management methods using present worth of costs: a case study of processing plants in eastern and central Iran', in AB Fourie, M Horta, M Oliveira & S Wilson (eds), Paste 2026: Proceedings of the 28th International Conference on Paste, Thickened and Filtered Tailings, Australian Centre for Geomechanics, Perth, pp. 1-15, https://doi.org/10.36487/ACG_repo/2655_48



Abstract:
Effective tailings management in water-scarce regions is a critical challenge for the mining industry, particularly in areas where land availability is constrained by topography and regulatory restrictions. This issue is highly relevant in the iron ore mines of eastern and central Iran, where both water scarcity and spatial limitations intensify the need for efficient and sustainable tailings disposal strategies. This study presents a techno-economic evaluation of 2 commonly applied methods of tailings management: the use of paste thickeners in combination with tailings dams, and filtration followed by dry stacking. The economic assessment was carried out using the present worth of costs methodology, allowing for a consistent comparison of alternatives over equivalent operational lifespans. A hypothetical case study was developed for a dewatering and tailings management facility designed to handle 1 million tonnes of dry tailings annually. The analysis focused on both capital and operating costs, with special emphasis on the influence of water supply costs on the overall economic performance of each method. Results indicate that the economic viability of tailings management is highly sensitive to the unit cost of water. When water costs are below EUR 1.5/m³, paste thickener–tailings dam systems demonstrate greater costeffectiveness primarily due to lower operating expenditures. However, as water costs rise above EUR 1.5/m³, filtration and dry stacking become the more favourable option, owing to significant reductions in water consumption and associated costs. It should be noted that the current evaluation does not incorporate environmental or social risks, such as those related to tailings dam failures. Overall, the findings highlight that in arid and semi-arid mining regions, water supply costs are the decisive factor in selecting an appropriate tailings management strategy. While paste thickeners may be advantageous under low-cost water conditions, the filter press–dry stacking method emerges as a more economically robust and potentially sustainable solution in the face of increasing water scarcity and growing environmental concerns.

Keywords: tailings management, paste thickener, tailings dam, pressure filter, dry stacking, present worth of costs

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