Date of Award

2026

Document Type

Open Access Master's Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science in Geological Engineering (MS)

Administrative Home Department

Department of Geological and Mining Engineering and Sciences

Advisor 1

Nathan Manser

Committee Member 1

Xiang Li

Committee Member 2

Snehamoy Chatterjee

Abstract

Worldwide mine tailings ponds and reservoirs occupy some 534 billion m3 of space with the volume expected to increase as economic demand for minerals increases over the next decades. These reservoirs produce adverse effects on local communities and ecosystems through structural failure resulting in mass flooding events, drainage of pollutants into water supply and emissions of airborne particulate matter. Methods developed to find use for tailings include extraction of residual minerals and aggregates in construction materials. The latter method has already been used in mining operations to stabilize mining reservoirs and stopes, and as placement for temporary road work for mining equipment. While conventional tailings have been used in these ways, the stamp sands of Baraga Bay Michigan have not due to their unique conditions and rarity. The results of this paper indicate a strong potential for use of these stamp sands as cemented tailings and construction aggregates.

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