The comprehensive utilization rate of tailings is currently less than 10% on average. By 2015, the national comprehensive utilization rate of tailings is required to reach 20%.

▲ The comprehensive utilization of iron ore tailings, the comprehensive utilization of non-ferrous metal tailings, and the comprehensive utilization of gold tailings are listed in the "Planning" as the key areas for comprehensive utilization of tailings

▲ The "Planning" proposes six measures from multiple perspectives to ensure the smooth development of comprehensive utilization of metal tailings

The "Special Plan for Comprehensive Utilization of Metal Tailings (2010-2015)" (hereinafter referred to as the "Plan"), organized by the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, the Ministry of Science and Technology, the Ministry of Land and Resources, and the State Administration of Work Safety and other relevant departments, was officially released recently. The comprehensive utilization of tailings is a concrete manifestation of implementing the scientific concept of development, coordinating the harmonious development of man and nature, developing ecological civilization, and building a resource-saving and environment-friendly society.

There are 12,718 tailings ponds in my country, of which 1,526 are under construction, accounting for 12% of the total, and 1,024 tailings ponds have been closed, accounting for 8% of the total. The amount is 8.046 billion tons. The massive accumulation of tailings brings many problems such as resources, environment, safety and land. 80% of my country's mineral resources are associated minerals. Due to the late start of my country's mining industry and the unbalanced technological development, the beneficiation and smelting technology in different periods is very different, and a large number of valuable resources remain in the tailings. For example, the average total iron grade of iron ore tailings in my country is 8% to 12%, and some are even as high as 27%. Based on the current total stock of iron tailings of 4.5 billion tons, it is equivalent to about 500 million tons of iron in the tailings. The gold content in my country's gold tailings is generally 0.2 grams to 0.6 grams per ton. Based on the current total stockpile of 500 million tons, it still contains about 300 tons of gold. The non-metallic minerals in tailings are not only huge, but some have potential characteristics for high value-added applications. With the advancement of technology, its potential value will far exceed the value of metal elements. If these tailings resources cannot be comprehensively recycled, it will cause huge waste. The comprehensive utilization rate of industrial solid waste in my country is about 60%, while the comprehensive utilization rate of metal tailings is less than 10% on average. In contrast, the comprehensive utilization of tailings lags far behind other bulk solid wastes. Tailings have become the bulk solid waste with the largest industrial output and the lowest comprehensive utilization rate in my country.

The "Planning" proposes a development goal. By 2015, the comprehensive utilization rate of tailings nationwide will reach 20%, and the growth rate of new tailings storage will decrease year by year, and 50% of tailings ponds that have achieved safe closure will be reclaimed.

The comprehensive utilization of iron ore tailings, the comprehensive utilization of non-ferrous metal tailings, and the comprehensive utilization of gold tailings are listed in the "Plan" as the key areas for comprehensive utilization of tailings. The "Plan" involves five categories of key projects, about 500~ 700, with a total investment of about 54 billion yuan. The first category is the recovery of valuable metals and other high-value components from tailings. The second category is the overall utilization of tailings to produce building materials. The third category is tailings filling goaf and open pit. The fourth category is the agricultural use of tailings. The fifth category is the reclamation of tailings ponds.

The "Plan" proposes six major measures to ensure the smooth development of comprehensive utilization of metal tailings from multiple perspectives: carry out statistical investigations, strengthen statistical and evaluation capacity building for comprehensive utilization of tailings; strengthen government policy guidance and financial support; strengthen tailings Forward-looking and basic scientific and technological research on comprehensive utilization, establish a product standard system for comprehensive utilization of tailings; implement effective supervision and management; strengthen publicity to improve awareness of comprehensive utilization of tailings; increase domestic and foreign exchanges.

Among them, special emphasis is placed on strengthening the support of the central and local finance for the comprehensive utilization of tailings; promoting the inclusion of the comprehensive utilization of tailings products that meet the standards and are closely related to government procurement into the scope of government procurement policy support.

At the same time, appropriate incentives are given to enterprises or projects with high comprehensive utilization efficiency of tailings in terms of resource allocation and land use. Increase the support for the technical transformation of the comprehensive utilization of tailings. Establish a tailings emission reduction responsibility system. For mines that have already been built, the increase in the new storage capacity of tailings should be reduced year by year; for new mining enterprises, the comprehensive utilization rate of tailings should be greater than 20%; where conditions permit, the comprehensive utilization of tailings and mines should be gradually achieved. "Three Simultaneous" of mining and ecological restoration. Introduce mandatory measures for the reclamation of tailings ponds after closure, study and introduce stricter restrictions on land acquisition for new tailings ponds, and preferential use policies for land vacated after tailings disposal and increased land resources after reclamation.

The "Planning" believes that the comprehensive utilization of tailings is not only conducive to improving the comprehensive utilization rate of resources, reducing the occupation of land and protecting the environment, but also a fundamental solution to eliminate the hidden dangers of tailings pond safety.