Spatial distribution characteristics, risk assessment and management strategies of tailings ponds in China

Shentao Hu; Xiaohu Xiong; Xuan Li; Jie Chang; Meixia Wang; Dongdong Xu; Aifang Pan; Weijian Zhou

doi:10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.169069

Spatial distribution characteristics, risk assessment and management strategies of tailings ponds in China

Sci Total Environ. 2024 Feb 20:912:169069. doi: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.169069. Epub 2023 Dec 4.

Authors

Shentao Hu¹, Xiaohu Xiong², Xuan Li¹, Jie Chang³, Meixia Wang⁴, Dongdong Xu⁴, Aifang Pan⁵, Weijian Zhou⁶

Affiliations

¹ State Key Laboratory of Loess and Quaternary Geology, Institute of Earth Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xi'an 710061, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China; Shaanxi Key Laboratory of AMS Technology and Application, Xi'an AMS Center, Xi'an 710061, China.
² State Key Laboratory of Loess and Quaternary Geology, Institute of Earth Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xi'an 710061, China; Shaanxi Key Laboratory of AMS Technology and Application, Xi'an AMS Center, Xi'an 710061, China.
³ College of Materials Science and Engineering, Xi'an University of Architecture and Technology, Xi'an 710055, China.
⁴ State Key Laboratory of Loess and Quaternary Geology, Institute of Earth Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xi'an 710061, China; Shaanxi Key Laboratory of AMS Technology and Application, Xi'an AMS Center, Xi'an 710061, China; Xi'an Institute for Innovative Earth Environment Research, Xi'an 710061, China.
⁵ State Key Laboratory of Loess and Quaternary Geology, Institute of Earth Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xi'an 710061, China; College of Materials Science and Engineering, Xi'an University of Architecture and Technology, Xi'an 710055, China.
⁶ State Key Laboratory of Loess and Quaternary Geology, Institute of Earth Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xi'an 710061, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China; Shaanxi Key Laboratory of AMS Technology and Application, Xi'an AMS Center, Xi'an 710061, China. Electronic address: weijian@loess.llqg.ac.cn.

PMID: 38056668
DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.169069

Abstract

The tailings ponds (TPS) stemming from mineral resource exploitation are becoming a global challenge due to their high hazards and pollution to the surrounding area. However, previous studies on China's tailings ponds have either focused on a single or few areas, or the number of tailings ponds varies greatly. A systematic assessment of the number, distribution characteristics, potential risks and management strategies of the tailings pond in China is lacking. This study obtained the latest list of tailings ponds in China up to the end of 2022 based on official information and assessed their spatial distribution characteristics, environmental risk and management strategies simultaneously. The results demonstrated that the distribution of TPS in China is relatively clustered and multiple factors affected the spatial distribution of TPS in China, which were concentrated in areas with low economic and population density, convenient transportation, and a developed water system. The risk assessment suggested that 1803 TPS had large or significant environmental risks, which were mainly distributed in Yunnan, Hunan, Shaanxi and Jiangxi provinces. To solve the problem of tailings ponds from the source, the key point of tailings pond management in China should be adjusted from the prevention of pollution or dam break accidents to the full resource utilization of tailings. In summary, this study will provide a scientific basis for the risk control of TPS and an innovative idea for the management of other solid waste.

Keywords: Management strategies; Risk assessment; Spatial distribution characteristics; Tailings ponds in China.