Geostatistical models, recovery, revalorization and economic potential in mine tailings: a comprehensive bibliometric and systematic review

Abstract

This study presents a comprehensive bibliometric and systematic review of geostatistical models, recovery, revalorization, and the economic potential of mine tailings, spanning research from 1990 to 2024. Using a mixed methods approach that combines bibliometric analysis, text mining, and content analysis, the review explores the evolution of key topics, identifies major trends, and outlines critical areas for future research. Three primary themes were identified: (1) the application of geostatistical models for evaluating tailings, (2) the recovery and revalorization of minerals from tailings, and (3) the economic potential and mineral concentration models in tailings deposits. The key findings emphasize the necessity of advancing geostatistical modeling techniques, particularly the application of transitive kriging, which has demonstrated significant potential for modeling complex deposits with greater precision. Furthermore, there is a growing interest in the recovery of strategic minerals, such as rare earth elements (REEs) and cobalt, from under-researched tailings, with studies indicating the economic feasibility of reprocessing these materials. Based on these findings, future research should focus on five critical areas: (i) the development of software for transitive kriging in the modelling of complex tailings deposits, (ii) the integration of geological covariates into predictive mineral concentration models, (iii) the exploration of strategic minerals from under-explored tailings, (iv) dynamic economic models for tailings revalorization, and (v) the optimization of advanced concentration technologies for the recovery of precious metals. These insights provide a foundation for advancing sustainable practices and maximizing the economic and environmental value of mine tailings.