Multi-Criteria Analysis for Circular Economy Promotion in the Management of Tailings Dams: A Case Study

Copper ore is a non-renewable resource with lower grades, which means that the extraction of more rock material required to produce same amount copper, implying greater consumption materials, reagents, water, and energy. Since there copper sulfide present in nature, concentration using bubble flotation method will generate number tailings. This article discusses environmental issues resulting from tailings dams how multi-criteria decision analysis can help prioritize those sites order promote circular economy measures compensate for reduce impacts this type waste generated by mining industry. work aims contribute purpose taking information abandoned non-active tailings, are currently as result lack regulations times prior obligations because they metallurgical old operations had metal recovery rates were much than current rates. We propose model based on Promethee according commercial value existing materials deposits. A case study an application 103 region Coquimbo northern Chile shown.