The Mess Left Behind

When metals are mined and manufactured, large amounts of waste result, and while some forms of waste don’t harm the environment, others pose a significant risk not just to the environment but to human health. The waste occurs at various stages, from the exploration drilling project to the last processed material, and depending on how the materials are mined, the type of waste produced will vary. The three types of waste produced in the largest volumes are rock, tailings (ore residue) and mine water. Some mining makes use of toxic chemicals such as cyanide during the processing stage as well, and alt ough this accounts for only a small amount of waste, the risks and dangers are substantial.

Scrap metal consists of a combination of waste metal

Scrap metal is another form of metal waste, but unlike other waste, it is highly valuable and recyclable. Scrap metal consists of a combination of waste metal, metallic material and any other product that contains metal, left over from the manufacturing and consumption of products that have the potential to be recycled, such as vehicle parts, building supplies and used electronics. Divided into two categories (ferrous and non-ferrous metals), scrap metal can be found in practically anything, from old bicycles and children’s toys, to discarded utensils and obsolete computers.