SOLID WASTES IN MINING INDUSTRIES.

Mining, one of the oldest industries in the U. S. , produces raw materials for construction, manufacturing, and energy production. The specific segments of the mining industry covered in this paper are listed. These segments include iron, copper, lead and zinc, gold and silver, aluminum, coal and phosphate. To illustrate the mining methods used and current solid waste disposal and reuse practices, this paper focuses on nine minerals. These minerals are aluminum, coal, copper, gold, iron, lead, phosphorus, silver, and zinc. For each of these industries, mining and ore concentrating operations are presented along with information on the waste types and quantities generated and their chemical composition.