minesinincontaining

Minesinincontaining is a term used in mining engineering and environmental management to describe an integrated approach to containing hazards and contaminants associated with mining operations. The concept emphasizes preventing the release and migration of materials such as tailings liquids, metals, and suspended solids into soil, groundwater, and surface water, across the mine life cycle from construction to closure. The term is a neologism in technical discussions and is not universally standardized.

Core elements of minesinincontaining include physical containment barriers (such as impermeable liners, cut-off walls, and properly designed tailings facilities), hydrogeological controls (diversion of surface water, drainage management, seepage collection systems), and waste management practices (dry stacking where feasible, backfilling, and staged rehabilitation). Operational measures like water balance management, dewatering strategies, and controlled blasting also contribute to containment. Post-closure controls involve long-term groundwater monitoring, land-use planning, and site remediation to ensure ongoing isolation of contaminants.

Implementation requires site-specific assessment of hydrogeology, climate, seismicity, ore and waste characteristics, and potential exposure pathways. It relies on risk assessment, regulatory compliance, and stakeholder engagement, as well as lifecycle planning that links design, operation, monitoring, and eventual closure. Economic considerations are central, since high upfront costs and long-term stewardship obligations influence design choices.

Minesinincontaining intersects with broader practices in tailings management, mine water management, and environmental risk mitigation. While widely discussed in literature and industry programs, there is no single global standard for the term, and its exact definition may vary by jurisdiction and project context.