Towards zero waste production in the minerals and metals sector

摘要: The production of mineral and metal commodities results in large quantities wastes (solid, liquid gaseous) at each stage value-adding — from mining to manufacturing. Waste (both consumer non-consumer) is a major contributor environmental degradation. Approaches waste management the minerals industry are largely ‘after event’. These have moved progressively foul-and-flee dilute-and-disperse end end-of-pipe treatments. There now need move approaches which aim reduce or eliminate source. Modern strategies include application cleaner principles, use as raw materials, reengineering process flowsheets minimise production, industrial symbioses through ecology convert into useful by-products. This paper examines how these can be adopted by industry, with some recent examples. financial, technical, systemic regulatory drivers barriers also examined.