“ARE TAILINGS TOXIC?”
Most of the mined rock will be inert. But about 12% will be pyritic, which can create acidic conditions if exposed to air and water. Tailings aren’t “toxic.” They are a natural byproduct to be kept in a lined facility and returned to the pit at closure.
All pyritic tailings will be backhauled to the pit for permanent underwater storage. They will present no failure risk and offer no threat to downstream habitat.
