Is it possible to reprocess the tailings to recover metals remaining in them?
The simple answer is ‘yes’. Whether this would be economically feasible, however, is more difficult to answer. The original processing of the ore removed over 80% of the metals. The remaining metals would be much more difficult to extract and the form of concentrate that would be produced could only be processed at a single facility world-wide. The cost to carry out reprocessing would be high as the existing mill facilities are no longer operational, and a new concentrator would have to be constructed. The possible value of the recovered metals depends upon world prices at the time they are produced and it is difficult to predict prices for the future.
