Mining operations use large amounts of water and land and generate waste in the form of tailing, which can be harmful to the environment if disposed of without proper treatment. For example, some rock waste generated by mining contains significant amounts of sulfide minerals that oxidize when exposed to water and air, producing sulfuric acid. This phenomenon, known as acid mine drainage, can introduce acidity and dissolved metals into the water, harming aquatic life. To prevent this, mining companies must characterize, predict, control, and treat their waste. To minimize waste generation, it is recommended to use waste as raw material and adopt cleaner production methods.

Also, Ore processing requires large amounts of water and is responsible for more than 90% of the mass of the waste stream generated. It is essential to reduce the irresponsible use of water, in particular by circulating it for reuse, while reducing the volume of tailing through better waste recovery.

Several technologies and management strategies have been developed to reduce and mitigate the environmental impact of mining. By integrating them, mining companies can improve the environmental viability of their operations. This means reducing water and energy use, minimizing land disturbance and waste generation, and successfully completing mine closures and site remediation.