What does it mean to 'decharacterize' tailings dams? A systematic literature review

New legislation that requires decharacterizing or decommissioning tailings storage facilities (TSFs) has motivated this review of decharacterization methods and techniques for and their environmental impacts. Out of 105 papers, published since 1983, that describe solutions or discuss challenges to closed TSFs, regarding geotechnical and geochemical stability, revegetation, or reuse of tailings, generally aiming at safely integrating the facility to the landscape, only six papers approach environmental impacts of decommissioning works - such as increased road traffic -, and risks associated with phytoremediation - in particular the transfer of metals to the food chain. The subject is little explored in international literature. There is no shared understanding about the meaning of decommissioning, closure and related terms. The Brazilian experience that will result from complying with legislation, if properly analyzed and documented, will contribute to the advancement of knowlegde about TSFs closing techniques.

Automated summary

The study reviewed 105 papers published since 1983 on decharacterization and decommissioning methods for tailings storage facilities, revealing a lack of research on environmental impacts of TSFs closure works, representing a global issue.