Ore sorting improves tailings and waste management by significantly reducing the volume of material sent to tailings storage facilities (TSFs). By removing waste rock early in the process, it decreases overall tailings volume, minimizes the storage footprint, and lowers the risks associated with tailings dam construction and management(“How Ore Sorting Can Be Beneficial to Tailings,” n.d.-a).
Ore sorting enhances tailings quality by identifying and selectively processing problematic ores, such as those with clays or fine particles that cause poor settling or gelation. This results in tailings with improved settling behavior and higher solids concentration in the underflow, leading to more efficient thickening and dewatering processes(“How Ore Sorting Can Be Beneficial to Tailings,” n.d.-b).
A reduced tailings volume lowers the environmental footprint by cutting down water and energy consumption, as well as associated greenhouse gas emissions throughout mineral processing. By rejecting waste before milling, fewer tonnes need to be processed, leading to decreased water use and reduced energy demand for grinding and other processing stages(Tailings, n.d.).
Ore sorting improves resource efficiency by rejecting low-grade material more accurately, stabilizing feed grade, and reducing downstream waste. It supports mining at lower cut-off grades, increasing reserves and extending mine life. Additionally, sorting enables better control of tailings particle size and moisture, aiding safe and effective tailings storage management(Increasing Project Value With Ore Sorting | Ausenco – Ausenco English, n.d.).
The biggest impact of ore sorting isn’t at the mill, but in the tailings facility! How does rejecting waste rock earlier fundamentally reduce environmental risk, footprint, and long-term liability? Share your insights!
Reference:
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How ore sorting can be beneficial to tailings. (n.d.-a). What to Do with Tailings? Retrieved October 16, 2025, from https://research.csiro.au/tailings/ore-sorting/
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How ore sorting can be beneficial to tailings. (n.d.-b). What to Do with Tailings? Retrieved October 16, 2025, from https://research.csiro.au/tailings/ore-sorting/
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Increasing Project Value With Ore Sorting | Ausenco—Ausenco English. (n.d.). Retrieved October 16, 2025, from https://ausenco.com/insights/increasing-project-value-with-ore-sorting/
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Tailings. (n.d.). Retrieved October 16, 2025, from https://www.icmm.com/mine-tailings
