Brussels,

Mining waste

Mining waste is one of the largest waste streams in the EU, often containing large quantities of dangerous substances. It originates from extracting and processing mineral resources, such as topsoil overburden, waste rock, and tailings.

While some mining waste is inert, other types can pose significant risks to the environment and human health due to heavy metals, residual chemicals, and acid or alkaline drainage. Poorly managed waste storage, such as tailings dams, can collapse, causing long-term environmental and economic harm.
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Proper management ensures long-term stability, prevents water and soil pollution, and minimises environmental risks.

Key Objectives

• ​Prevent or reduce adverse effects of mining waste on the environment.
• Ensure the stability of waste disposal facilities.
• Limit pollution from heavy metals, acid drainage, and hazardous substances.

Extractive waste, primarily from mining and quarrying activities, constitutes a significant portion of the European Union's total waste generation. Here are some key statistics:
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• Share of Total Waste: In 2012, waste from mining and quarrying accounted for approximately 30% of the EU's total waste production.
  European Commission
  
  
• Waste Generation Trends: Between 2004 and 2014, the generation of extractive waste in the EU remained relatively constant.
  JRC RMIS
  
  
• Country-Specific Data: The proportion of mining and quarrying waste varies significantly across EU Member States. For example:
  • Bulgaria: 82.4% of total waste generation is from mining and quarrying activities.
  • Lithuania: 1.6%
  • Italy: 0.8%
  • Belgium: 0.1%
  • Denmark and the Netherlands: 0%
    
    

These figures highlight the substantial impact of extractive industries on waste generation within the EU, with notable disparities between Member States.

Legislative Framework

Key legislative frameworks include:​​
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• Extractive Waste Directive
• Decision on the criteria for the classification of waste facilities
• Decision on technical guidelines for establishing the financial guarantee
• Decision on technical requirements for waste characterisation
• Decision on the definition of inert waste
• Decision on the harmonisation and regular transmission of information and questionnaire
• Implementing decision laying down technical guidelines for inspections  
• Other relevant laws for the management of mining waste

Implementation

​The EU ensures compliance with the Extractive Waste Directive through:
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• Regular implementation reports.
• Guidance documents such as the MWEI BREF and financial guarantee guidelines.

Standards

Relevant standards include:
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• EN 15875:2011: Acid potential testing for sulfidic waste.
• CEN/TR 16365:2012: Sampling of waste from extractive industries.

Timeline

• 1 May 2006: Extractive Waste Directive enters into force.
• 30 April 2009: Adoption of technical decisions on waste characterisation and inert waste.
• 21 February 2020: Adoption of guidelines for inspections.

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