Decommissioned extractive waste sites attract interest as secondary raw material sources. The re-mining of once extracted material has advantages, but a wide range of research is still needed to ensure economic viability and sustainable processes. GTK studies extractive waste areas in many different ways to examine their raw material potential.
The demand for circular economy and sustainable mining is constantly increasing in the society. In addition, the transition to low-carbon solutions creates an additional need for minerals and metals. One solution is to use existing extractive waste areas as secondary resources.
Each secondary resource is unique, which highlights the need for meticulous research before using the reserves. GTK is the only operator in Finland that has carried out assessments using modern technology. Customers can purchase the entire research package or parts of it from GTK.
First, the material is characterised, and the results are used to determine if the waste site is suitable for reuse. The services of GTK Mintec’s pilot plant and laboratory offer additional support for decision-making. At Mintec, the beneficiation process can be tested and piloted on a factory scale to ensure the best possible results.
First, GTK carefully reviews all technical data related to production work at the mine. This also involves a background study on the reviewed site, including the operational history of the site and a background description of the extractive waste area.
The review covers at least the following topics:
The mapping of extractive waste areas includes the boundaries of the waste area, locations of the discharge pipes, catchment areas, and outlet ditches (with coordinate points). These must all be marked on the map.
A map of the waste area is required for the preparation of the research plan. For example, the map can be used to establish the necessary sampling intervals and predict possible logistical needs.
GTK’s experts will prepare a research plan that covers the studies needed in the area, the stages of the studies, and the relevant measures. The plan shall also encompass occupational safety and quality control.
GTK recommends a multi-stage sampling process. First, a preliminary assessment is made with a few samples. In the next stages, the assessment is specified by means of more frequent and systematic sampling. The samples are sent to an accredited geochemical laboratory and to GTK’s own mineralogical laboratory. GTK’s experts conduct a meticulous review of the results, and the elements included in the analysis packages are determined on a case-by-case basis.
Quality control is a key factor in producing successful estimates. The quality of the sampling process and laboratory analyses is monitored by means of, for example, certified external control samples and replicate samples.
GTK characterises the studied materials and carries out beneficiation tests, which create the basis for a preliminary assessment of utilisation potential. Furthermore, a market survey is carried out on valuable substances that show economic potential. During the characterisation process, GTK will also identify any environmentally harmful substances contained in the possible final waste fraction and assess their impacts on the planning of waste disposal.
GTK models the concentrations of minerals and/or elements, their continuity in the waste area, and the material tonnage suitable for reuse. The reliability of the assessment is based on high-quality sampling and the representativeness of the sample volume.
GTK classifies the raw material potential of the area according to the international United Nations Framework Classification for Resources (UNFC) system.
GTK is a well-known European expert in the use of the system, and it has participated in related international cooperation since 2017. GTK’s experts have contributed to work on European-level guidelines for the uniform classification of both primary and secondary raw material resources.
The final report prepared by GTK contains a summary of the studies carried out in the target area and of the market potential of the studied raw materials. The customer can use the report as support when deciding on further measures.
Leave your contact information and we will get back to you.
