Mining Waste Management Market Size, Share & COVID-19 Impact Analysis, By Source (Surface Mining and Underground Mining), By Waste Type (Solid Waste {Waste Rock, Tailings, Others} and Liquid Waste), By Commodity (Mineral Fuels, Iron, Ferro Alloys, Industrial Minerals, and Others) and Regional Forecast, 2021-2028

The global mining waste management market size was 167.20 billion tons in 2020. The global impact of COVID-19 has been unprecedented and staggering, with services witnessing a negative demand shock across all regions amid the pandemic. Based on our industry analysis, the global market exhibited a huge decline of 1.9% in 2020. The market is projected to grow from 172.60 billion tons in 2021 to 208.33 billion tons in 2028 at a CAGR of 2.7% during the 2021-2028 period. The sudden rise in CAGR is attributable to this market’s demand and growth, returning to pre-pandemic levels once the pandemic is over.

Mining waste consists of overburden, slurry, tailings, rock, and other discards. The amount of mining waste differs across countries and depends on the respective geographical structure, economic value of the ore, & metal and minerals demand in the market. Lower-grade ores are producing large quantities of mining waste, as compared to the higher grades. With increased mineral consumption globally, mining production has increased, and consecutively, high amounts of mining waste are produced. Due to the increasing problem of surface water pollution backed by strict environmental regulations, waste management in mines has gained significant importance.  

Disruption in Mining Activities amidst COVID-19 to Restrain Growth

The COVID-19 outbreak has resulted in an unprecedented economic and operational impact on the global mining industry. However, the mining industry partially resumed its operations, and the overall economic impact is slightly less than other manufacturing industries. Each region reacted differently in response to the COVID-19 outbreak. Many governments across developed and developing economies imposed partial or complete lockdown to avoid the spread of coronavirus.

The sudden lockdown led to supply chain disruption across the ecosystem. Some examples include Rio Tinto’s Oyu Tolgoi copper mine in Mongolia, Anglo American’s Quellaveco in Peru, the San Cristobal silver zinc-lead mine in Bolivia, and the Ambatovy nickel mine in Madagascar owned by Japan’s Sumitomo Corp. However, few of the countries such as Columbia and Chile excused mining sites from quarantine to limit the entire economy's major impact. The decrease in demand and prices of many minerals put a heavy toll on national economies such as Chile & Peru. Also, due to disruption in operation, especially in highly mining concentrated countries, affected the whole value chain and led to an increase in prices on account of shorter supply. 

LATEST TRENDS

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Continued Interest in Mining Waste Co-disposal is a Prominent Trend

In the co-disposal technique, waste rock and fine tailings are combined and disposed systematically. The main aim behind this co-mixing is to improve the physical and chemical stability of the mining waste. Different co-disposal methods have been designed based on the degree of mixing and placement methods. Co-disposal possesses certain advantages over conventional or separate disposal methods. Tailing dams need not be constructed, which, in turn, saves space and minimizes maintenance costs. Also, co-disposal simplifies water consumption and wastewater management. Collectively, co-disposal techniques have a lower environmental impact.

DRIVING FACTORS

Stringent Government Regulations on Mining Operations to Aid Growth

The government authorities such as the Environment Protection Agency (EPA) across each region, imposed strict regulations on mining operations and mining waste disposal. For instance, in the United States, the federal laws that regulate mining operations are National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), Clean Air Act (CAA), Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA), Toxic Substances Control Acts (TSCA), Clean Water Act (CWA), and Comprehensive Environmental Response, and Compensation & Liability Act (CERCLA). These regulations force the mining operators to adopt safe and sustainable mining waste solutions.

Violation of non-fulfillment of such regulations leads to civil penalties. Similarly, the National Environmental Management Act 1998 (NEMA) is the framework of legislation regulating the environment in South Africa. It is framed along with environmental laws such as the National Water Act 36, National Environmental Management: Waste Act, etc. These regulations force mining operators to adopt safe and sustainable mining waste solutions. Violation of non-fulfillment of such regulations leads to civil penalties. Therefore, strict mining regulations are fueling the growth of the market.  

RESTRAINING FACTORS

High Operating Cost to Hinder Mining Waste Management Market Growth

Disposing mining waste is a critical task and requires higher investment. It also consumes a considerable amount of power and energy. Handling hazardous mine waste, especially acid waste drainage, requires efficient operating equipment. Also, hazardous mine waste possesses a significant impact on human health. Therefore, to handle such waste material, highly skilled manpower and safety equipment are required. This increases the overall operating cost. However, with the adoption of smart mining waste technologies, the impact of this restraint is projected to become low during the forecast period.

SEGMENTATION

By Source Analysis

Surface Mining Segment to Remain the Largest Source

Based on source, the market is divided into surface mining and underground mining segments.

Among these, in 2020, the surface mining segment was the largest share contributor in the market. This segment is further sub-divided into open-pit, mountaintop removal, and strip mining. As compared to underground mines, surface mines produce large amounts of waste.

• For instance, waste rock production in the underground mines is typically 10% to 20% of the ore quantity. In contrast, waste rock production in open-pit mines is typically 2 to 10 times the ore quantity.

When ore deposits are critical to tapping from the surface, an underground mining technique is used. Due to higher operating costs, the underground mines are carefully operated to generate less amount of waste. The ore extraction capacity of the underground mines is generally less than the surface mines. Thus, underground mines generate fewer wastes as compared to open or surface mining.

By Waste Type Analysis

Solid Waste Segment to Dominate

Based on waste type, the market for mining waste management is segmented into solid waste and liquid waste.

Among these waste types, the solid waste segment held the largest share in the market in 2020. This segment is further divided into waste rock, tailings, and others. The waste rock sub-segment held the largest share, followed by tailings. The quantity of waste rock generated depends upon the mine geometry, mining method, composition, & stripping ratio of mines.

• For instance, the stripping ratio of 3:1 means that thrice the quantity of waste rock needs to be mined to obtain one quantity of ore. The stripping ratio varies as per the different mineral commodities.

Tailings are fine sand remains that are found post valuable mineral separation. The amount of tailing is dependent upon the grades of the ore. Liquid mine waste is contaminated with harmful elements. The water released through different mining processes is acidic and can easily pollute the surface water. Therefore, mining wastewater is carefully monitored and treated before it is released into the environment.

By Commodity Analysis

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Mineral Fuels Segment held Major Share

Based on commodity, the market is categorized into mineral fuels, iron, ferro alloys, industrial minerals, and others.

Among these, the mineral fuels segment accounted for the largest share in 2020. Mineral fuel waste consists of the waste generated during coal mining, lignite, uranium, natural gas, and other petroleum products. Mineral fuels became paramount to suffice the daily energy needs. With rapid industrialization, the demand for mineral fuels is increasing. Therefore, mineral fuel is highly mined, and new sites are explored to meet the rising demand. Due to the high stripping ratio, the waste generated during mineral fuel mining is more.

The others segment includes mining waste generated during the extraction of precious metal and non-ferrous metal. Owing to the higher demand for precious metals such as gold, silver, rhodium, palladium, platinum, and non-ferrous metals such as bauxite, copper, aluminum, zinc, lead, and rare earth metals. The production of these metals and minerals is increasing at a higher rate. Thus, the others segment is expected to grow at a higher CAGR.

REGIONAL INSIGHTS

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Based on region, the global mining waste management market is categorized into North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, and the Middle East & Africa.

Asia Pacific is the largest mining waste generating region in the world. The market size of Asia Pacific in 2020 was 76.62 billion tons. Due to high-capacity mines, the region is expected to exhibit a CAGR of 3.5% during the forecast period. China held the major share in Asia Pacific owing to the presence of large capacity mines. China is the leading mining nation globally and accounts for over 24% share in the global mining production. In Asia Pacific, Australia is the second-largest individual contributor of mining waste. It ranked fourth among the top mining countries globally and accounted for around a 7% share globally.

Europe held the second-largest share in the global market in 2020. Owing to the strict mining regulations, it is a well-established market for mining waste management. In Europe, Russia is the major mining waste generating country, followed by Germany. In the global mining production, the country held the third position, contributing around 9% share. Also, it is the third-largest gold producer in the world. 83% of total European gold is sourced from Russia. Russian coal mines contribute around 14% to global coal production. Therefore, it is expected to maintain its dominance in the market during the forecast period.

In North America, the U.S. is a leading mining waste generating country. Also, the country's high mineral fuel mining exploration activities are fueling the demand for mining waste management systems. The U.S. is the second-largest mining nation in the world and accounts for around 12% share. Canada ranks among the top ten mining production countries globally, which, in turn, represents potential growth opportunities for the market.

In Latin America, Chile, Peru, Brazil, and Mexico are the key countries driving the growth of the mining and waste management industry. Peru has the world’s largest silver reserves, while Mexico ranks sixth. These two countries, together with Chile, Bolivia, and Argentina, hold around half the worldwide silver production in 2018. Mexico, Peru, & Brazil ranks amongst the leading gold-producing economies. Chile ranks top in copper production. In bauxite production, Brazil ranks amongst the top five. Brazil was the second-largest iron ore mine producer, with half a billion tons produced. Such things represent the potential of mining waste management in these countries. With an increase in production, demand for waste management services is expected to increase in the region.

The main contributions to the supply of mineral commodities were crude petroleum & condensate (32.4 %), helium (31.1%), phosphate rock (20.3%), natural gas (21.5%), ammonia (12.2%), aluminum (primary) (about 11%), gypsum (9.9%), potash (7.2%), cement (7.1%), petroleum refinery product (3.8%), chromite (2.6%), and crude steel (2.3%) in the MENA region. Iran & Saudi Arabia are the main producers of bauxite; Iran, Oman were the only manufacturers of chromite; Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Iran are leading gold producers in the region. The mining sector has been a key element of the South African economy. Gold, diamonds, platinum & coal are well-known among the minerals & metals. South Africa also has chrome, vanadium, titanium & other essential minerals.

KEY INDUSTRY PLAYERS

Leading Companies Focus on Acquisition and Expansion Strategies to Garner Market Growth

Acquisition of smaller enterprises and expansion are important strategies used by the leading companies to maintain their positions in the market. For instance, in July 2020, EnviroServ announced a new microencapsulation plant commission to manage high moisture waste to comply with new legislation.

The introduction of new legislation since August 2019 for the prohibition on disposal of high moisture content waste in landfills has led EnviroServe to develop various options to treat the waste into immobile solids. One such methodology developed by the company is microencapsulation. The process starts with obtaining a waste sample from a customer, analyzed in EnviroServ's in-house laboratory. A novel method for treating the moisture content in the waste by converting the waste into an immobile solid that complies with legislation has been developed. To commercialize this process, the company commissioned its new plant with a capacity of treating 1000 m³ of waste per day.

LIST OF KEY COMPANIES PROFILED:

• Enviro-Serve Inc. (South Africa)


• Hatch Ltd. (Canada)


• Veolia Environnement S.A. (France)


• Tetronics International (UK)


• Golder Associates Inc. (Canada)


• John Wood Group PLC (UK)


• Ramboll Group (Denmark)


• Tetra Tech, Inc. (USA)


• Ausenco (Australia)


• Seche Environnement Company (France)


• Cleanway Environmental Services (Australia)


• Aevitas (Canada)

KEY INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENTS:

• March 2019 – Seche Environnement Group acquired Interwaste Holdings Limited. With this acquisition, Seche Environnement Group entered the South African waste market. The expertise of both companies is aiming to support the southern African region in developing its circular economy.


• June 2018 – Cleanaway acquired Toxfree Solutions Limited and Daniel Health to become Australia’s largest environmental, industrial, and waste management company. Under this acquisition, both companies were aiming to develop more sustainable waste management in Australia.

REPORT COVERAGE

An Infographic Representation of Mining Waste Management Market

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The global market research report provides both qualitative & quantitative insights into the mining waste management industry across the world. Quantitative insights include mining waste management market sizing in terms of volume (billion tons) across each segment, sub-segment, and region profiled in the study's scope. Also, it provides the market share analysis and growth rates of the segment, sub-segments, and key counties across each region. The qualitative insight covers an elaborative market analysis about the drivers, restraints, growth opportunities, and key trends related to the market. The competitive landscape section covers detailed company profiles of the key players operating in the market.

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