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Mine waste as a potential source of critical minerals and other commodities: Examples from the Four Corners states, USA

By: , , , and 

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Abstract

The growing demand for critical minerals and other mineral resources has raised concerns about possible supplies of these essential commodities. Mine waste is a potential source of these essential commodities. We compiled a geospatial database of publicly available data of the largest non-fuel mine waste features (>200,000 m2 in areal extent) in the Four Corners states of the United States, where most of those features are from porphyry Cu deposits. The combined volume of those large porphyry Cu mine waste features is approximately 17 cubic kilometers, 60% of which is ore-related material such as tailings. Using publicly available data on density, grade, and previous recovery values, we estimate the contained endowments of Ag, As, Au, Bi, Cu, Mo, Re, S, Sb, Se, Te, and W. These estimates indicate endowments within ore-related mine wastes are collectively comparable to endowments of giant to supergiant deposits. If fully recovered, these commodities could meet current global demand from less than 1 year (Sb) to more than 200 years (Re), underscoring the enormous untapped resource potential of mine waste.

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Publication type Conference Paper
Publication Subtype Conference Paper
Title Mine waste as a potential source of critical minerals and other commodities: Examples from the Four Corners states, USA
Volume 3
Year Published 2025
Language English
Publisher Society of Geology Applied to Mineral Deposits
Contributing office(s) Geology, Geophysics, and Geochemistry Science Center
Description 4 p.
First page 916
Last page 919
Conference Title 18th SGA Biennial Meeting
Conference Location Golden, CO
Conference Date August 3-7, 2025
Country United States
State Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, Utah
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