At SERECO, we offer the mining industry innovative tailings treatment and recovery solutions with a forward-looking approach. What was once considered a worthless byproduct can now become an asset for both current and future mining operations. The increasing scarcity of mineral and natural resources, such as water, along with advancements in separation technologies that enable the extraction of lower-grade materials, have spurred interest in tailings recovery. The goal is to reclaim valuable metals contained in tailings, making it a complementary mining activity.
Furthermore, tailings treatment is becoming essential. SERECO’s solution combines various solid-liquid separation technologies—including cycloning, thickening, and filtration—allowing for high water recovery rates and producing a stable, dry residue that is easily manageable and compactable through mechanical means.
We also offer pilot plants to assess tailings behavior before full investment, ensuring that you invest in the right technology and have a clear view of expected outcomes.
Prolongs the life of tailings dams, which could be converted to dry stacks, as they would only receive dewatered dry material.
Prevents the loss of reusable water due to seepage and evaporation from the tailings storage facilities.
Increases safety in tailings dams by removing hundreds of thousands of cubic meters of potentially unstable sludge and reducing the risk of containment structure fractures.
Reduces water consumption by reusing the water recovered from the tailings thickening and filtration process. Lowers closure costs and reduces the need for new tailings dams.
Dehydrating tailings positively impacts the hydrogeology of the area, reducing risks to aquifers and surface water.
Enables land recovery for alternative uses.
Recovering metals from old tailings deposits is an excellent opportunity to generate new revenue while addressing long-standing environmental issues. Although it’s challenging to estimate the amount of metal stored in tailings dams worldwide, this moment calls for a careful reassessment of tailings as potential sources of valuable minerals. Many were previously discarded for their low grade or unknown applications but could now be reprocessed with advanced mining technologies that can make lower grades economically viable.
The growing scarcity of mineral resources and the increasing integration of rare metals into our daily lives have made this prospect even more appealing. This aligns closely with the concept of a “circular economy,” as well as rising environmental awareness, which places more pressure on mining companies to find sustainable practices in every aspect of their operations. (know more)
Even when the valorization of old tailings deposits isn’t feasible, today’s mining industry faces an enormous challenge. The traditional methods for managing mining waste are no longer viable, and there is mounting pressure from governments and society to take serious steps toward eliminating tailings deposits as they currently exist.
Environmentally, the current tailings storage system poses significant challenges due to its vast visual and environmental impact on large land areas and the groundwater contamination resulting from leakage. Mining is also an extremely water-intensive industry, producing substantial volumes of waste stored in large areas known as tailings dams (Chile), relaveras (Peru and other countries), or jales dams (Mexico). This waste storage is also a safety risk; its high moisture content can make tailings susceptible to landslides, and dam failures sometimes lead to severe accidents.
Recovering water and reclaiming tailings with sufficient mineral content for mining are essential goals for modern mining. Achieving these objectives demands a fresh perspective on the issue.
SERECO tackles these issues comprehensively, using advanced technologies and partnering with the best machinery suppliers, process engineering firms, and mining project developers. Our experience in designing, installing, and operating large facilities allows us to manage tailings in real-time with the highest safety and environmental standards, yielding numerous advantages and significant cost savings:
Traditional tailings storage does not effectively recover the water they contain, necessitating combined techniques tailored to the specific characteristics of each tailing. This optimized approach results in substantial economic savings in tailings management, allowing for return on investment in facilities while lowering future costs by streamlining closure planning.
SERECO is committed to 21st-century mining, helping our clients find the best environmental solutions tailored to their unique needs. We offer “turnkey” or B.O.T. (Build, Operate, Transfer) projects that cover facility design, engineering, installation, commissioning, and even operational support, as well as assistance in the economic and financial analysis of the operation.
We are prepared to conduct on-site pilot tests with mobile plants to demonstrate the reliability and effectiveness of our technology, giving you a solid foundation for your investment decision.
Contact us and embrace a responsible mining approach to tailings management, aligned with today’s Sustainable Development and Safety Goals.
