Soft computing application in the disposal and management of tailings and leaching waste ore disposal

In the mining industry, managing waste from heap leaching and tailings is crucial to reducing environmental risks and ensuring smooth operations. Key structures like heap leach spoil dumps and tailings storage facilities need thorough understanding for safe disposal. This research aims to improve waste management by using artificial intelligence models, specifically artificial neural networks (ANN), to predict and control how mineral waste flows at the moment of their disposal. This research collected crucial data from operations and lab tests, which included mineral characteristics and moisture levels for heap leach spoils, as well as solid percentages and sedimentation rates for tailings. This data was used to train ANN models that predict waste flow accurately. The models were tested and showed high accuracy in predicting waste behavior. By using these smart models, mining companies can enhance storage capacity, reduce costs, and improve safety and sustainability in their operations.