Steve MacLellan

Metal mining often involves extracting the desired metallic minerals from ore rock that may also contain toxic compounds such as arsenic and mercury. The metallic minerals are separated from the ore using large amounts of process water laced with dissolved reagents, which can include cyanide or other additives.

Metal mining often involves extracting the desired metallic minerals from ore rock that may also contain toxic compounds such as arsenic and mercury. The metallic minerals are separated from the ore using large amounts of process water laced with dissolved reagents, which can include cyanide or other additives.

Low-grade ore bodies require especially large tailing ponds to contain the massive amounts of waste. The proposed Sisson Mine project is one such low-grade ore body.

The tailings impoundment would have to be maintained forever, which Kuyek noted was something that is likely to be financially unfeasible. “We can’t even keep the pyramids from deteriorating,” she joked.