Environmental Data Centre on Waste

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Extractive waste from mining and quarrying contributes the largest quantity of waste material out of any sector in the EU. It comprises of material that must be removed in order to extract the mineral resource (such as topsoil, overburden and waste rock) and tailings that result from the extraction of minerals from the ore. Although some of the material is inert a large quantity will contain heavy metals and other pollutants that damage the environment.

The Mining Waste Directive was implemented in 2006. Along with additional best practice guidance documents, this Directive provides a comprehensive framework for the safe management of waste from the extractive and mineral processing industries.

Directive 2006/21/EC on the management of waste from the extractive industries (the Mining Waste Directive) does not contain any specific targets. However, the general objectives of the directive are:

• to prevent or reduce the generation of waste and its negative impact;
• to encourage waste recovery through recycling, re-use or reclaiming; and
• to encourage the short and long-term safe disposal of waste.

 Management of Mining, Quarrying and Ore-Processing Waste in the European Union (December 2001)

 

 A Study on the Costs of Improving the Management of Mining Waste

 Effectiveness of Environmental Taxes and Charges for Managing Sand, Gravel and Rock Extraction in Selected EU Countries (2008)

European Commission on Mining and Quarrying

EIONET on Mining and Quarrying

Europa (Summary of Directive 2006/21/EC)

Directive 2006/21/EC on the Management of Waste from the Extractive Industries (the Mining Waste Directive)