Innovation Fall 2026

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such as cobalt and rare earth elements suddenly gain strategic value. The longer-term goal is to design mines with future reprocessing in mind. Large block-cave and bulk-mining operations process such enormous volumes of ore that even fractional improvements in future recovery could yield meaningful quantities of additional metal. Viewed this way, some tailings facilities become long term mineral inventories rather than permanent waste repositories. That said, not all tailings deposits are suitable candidates. Some legacy sites remain environmental liabilities due to acid rock drainage and metal leaching. In those situations, reprocessing may provide an opportunity to recover value and improve environmental conditions. Other sites have been successfully reclaimed and stabilized. Disturbing those facilities could introduce new environmental risks and liabilities. “We can't think of all tailings reprocessing as being equal,” Scott says.

I think we're in a stage of incremental improvements rather than paradigm changing technologies.

James Scott, P.Geo. Founder of Welcot Consulting Ltd.

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Modern reprocessing typically begins with extensive characterization drilling and sampling programs to determine the particle-size distribution, mineralogy, geochemistry, moisture content, acid-generation potential, and spatial distribution of valuable elements throughout the deposit. “Characterization is a big challenge [with tailings reprocessing],” Scott says. Unlike a conventional orebody, tailings may have been deposited over decades through changing operational practices, making their internal structure far less predictable. Once characterized, the material may be processed using several technologies, Scott explains. Modern flotation systems employ highly selective reagents that attach to specific minerals and improve recovery rates compared to older circuits. Fine grinding technologies such as stirred mills and regrind circuits can liberate valuable minerals that were previously locked within waste particles. Chemical extraction methods, including vat leaching and other hydrometallurgical processes, can dissolve minerals that conventional flotation could not economically recover. Hartlaub notes that advances in leaching technologies are making it possible to extract metals that earlier generations of operators simply left behind. Designing mines for the future The economics of tailings reprocessing are also changing. Scott says, many historic mines operated when metal prices were significantly lower than today. Material that was considered waste at a copper price of $2.50 per pound may become attractive when prices are substantially higher or when secondary products

Congratulations on your Promotion! VDZ+A, a western Canadian leader in civil engineering, landscape architecture and urban forestry is proud to announce the appointment of Taylor Webber, P.Eng. to Principal. Taylor has been with VDZ for 10 years and has guided the civil

engineering department to become a leader in parks infrastructure. He excels at guiding large construction projects,

solving complex problems and mentoring engineers in training.

Taylor Webber, P.Eng.

Principal Civil Engineer We pride ourselves on being a landscape led engineering firm. Taylor has perfectly embodied this collaborative spirit, seamlessly integrating civil infrastructure with sustainable landscape design. His promotion reflects his immense contributions to the quality of our work and the continued momentum of our firm.

Innovation Fall 2026

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