Research summary
Responsible management of tailings is a key challenge facing the mining industry. This is because of the risks that a dam may fail or a mine may generate contaminated drainage.
As Canada Research Chair in Tailings Reprocessing, Dr. Lucie Coudert is devising strategies for integrating and reprocessing the tailings from mining operations. She aims to curb their environmental impacts while maximizing the development of mineral resources. She and her research team are reprocessing desulfurized tailings and sulphide concentrates to reduce the environmental impacts of desulfurization. They are also developing bio-hydrometallurgical processes to reduce the environmental impacts of high-tech metals production. Ultimately, their work will generate crucial insights into the advantages and limitations of tailings reprocessing.