Three years of research at an coal mine in, Illinois, have resulted in findings that scientists believe can help thousands of mine disposal sites that scar the coal-rich regions of the United States.

The existing problems of the tailings and waste residue in Yunnan Lancang Lead Mine have been described, and the feasible disposal methods have been introduced.

This material forms a thick, weighty and highly abrasive sludge that must be transported from the flotation cells, where the copper is extracted, to a mine tailings disposal area.