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Energy, Climate change, Environment
Environment

Mining waste

EU rules aim to ensure that mining waste is properly managed to avoid damaging the environment.

Overview

Mining waste is one of the largest waste streams in the EU. It comes from extracting and processing mineral resources and includes materials, such as topsoil overburden, waste rock and tailings.

Some of this waste can, however, contain large quantities of dangerous substances, such as heavy metals, the extraction and processing of which can result in acid or alkaline drainage.

The management of tailings is also risky. It is often stored in heaps or in large ponds surrounded by a dam. These can collapse, with disastrous consequences and a lasting impact on human health, the economy and the environment.

See a summary of the current legislation here.

Mining waste
© DieterMeyrl, Getty Images

Objectives

The Extractive Waste Directive entered into force on 1 May 2006. It is designed to prevent or reduce any adverse effects on the environment and human health through the proper management of mining waste.

It also aims to:-

  • Ensure the long-term stability of disposal facilities
  • Prevent or minimise water and soil pollution arising from acid or alkaline drainage and the leaching of heavy metals

Law

The Directive introduces measures for the safe management of waste resulting from the extraction, treatment and storage of mineral resources and the working of quarries.

It also lays down the rules for the granting of permits to operators by the authorities designated by each EU country

Operators must draw up a waste management plan that prevents or reduces waste generation, and encourages waste recovery and safe waste disposal. It must be reviewed every five years by the authorities.

Implementation

In 2018, the Commission published a report on the implementation of the Extractive Waste Directive.

Timeline

Key dates related to EU policy on mining waste

  1. 21 February 2020
    Adoption of Decision on technical guidelines for inspections
  2. 30 April 2009
    Adoption of Decision on technical requirements for waste characterisation and Decision on the definition of inert waste
  3. 29 April 2009
    Adoption of Decision on the harmonisation and regular transmission of the information and the questionnaire
  4. 20 April 2009
    Adoption of Decision on technical guidelines for establishing financial guarantee and Decision on the criteria for classification of waste facilities
  6. 1 May 2006
    Extractive Waste Directive enters into force

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Contact

For questions about EU environmental policy, please contact Europe Direct.