Word
tailings
Phoneticstail·ings, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈteɪɫɪŋz/
UK/tˈeɪlɪŋz/
Plural noun
Definition
n. the waste material that is left over after the valuable parts of a mineral or ore have been removed. It usually looks like a pile of crushed rock or mud and is stored in large ponds.
n. the residue of ore that remains after the economically valuable metals or minerals have been extracted through processing. Typically stored in large impoundments, these materials often contain chemical reagents or heavy metals that require long-term environmental management.
Examples
“The mining company built a dam to hold the tailings.”
“Environmental scientists monitored the local river for contamination after a leak was discovered in the gold mine's tailings pond.”
“The collapse of the tailings dam resulted in a catastrophic release of toxic sludge, devastating the downstream ecosystem and prompting a nationwide review of mining safety protocols.”
Examples
simple
“The mining company built a dam to hold the tailings.”
contextual
“Environmental scientists monitored the local river for contamination after a leak was discovered in the gold mine's tailings pond.”
complex
“The collapse of the tailings dam resulted in a catastrophic release of toxic sludge, devastating the downstream ecosystem and prompting a nationwide review of mining safety protocols.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “tailings” in context.
Verb
01. contain tailings
“Engineers built a massive dam to contain tailings produced by the copper mine.”
verb + noun
02. process tailings
“New technology allows mining firms to process tailings to extract remaining minerals.”
verb + noun
03. store tailings
“The company must find a safer way to store tailings to prevent groundwater contamination.”
verb + noun
04. tailings accumulate
“As mining operations expand, tailings accumulate in large ponds near the facility.”
noun + verb
05. tailings leak
“If the barrier fails, tailings leak into the ecosystem, causing irreversible damage.”
noun + verb
Adjective
06. mine tailings
“Environmentalists are monitoring the impact of mine tailings on the surrounding soil.”
noun + noun
07. radioactive tailings
“Specialized containers are required to transport radioactive tailings from the site.”
adj + noun
Noun
08. disposal of tailings
“Strict regulations govern the disposal of tailings in mountainous regions.”
noun + prep + noun
09. tailings dam
“The collapse of the tailings dam led to a major environmental disaster.”
noun + noun
10. breach of a tailings dam
“The sudden breach of a tailings dam flooded the valley with sludge.”
11. reclaim land from tailings
“The project aims to reclaim land from tailings piles for agricultural use.”
12. seepage from tailings ponds
“Scientists detected seepage from tailings ponds entering the local well water.”
Usage
Always used in the plural form; takes a plural verb.
Real-World Examples
“Tailings typically make headlines only when the waste is abruptly released or contaminates water supplies.” “The order blocked the company from building a tailings dam in the headwaters of the Belubula River.” “For the millions of Zambians that depend on the Kafue, the tailings dam collapse at the Chinese state-owned Sino-Metals Leach copper mine triggered a national environmental emergency that is yet to end.” “Mining generates 13 billion tonnes per year of potentially toxic wet slurry waste, called tailings, commonly deposited in tailings storage facilities (TSF).” Etymology
Derived from the word 'tail', referring to the part of something that is left at the end or rear. In a processing context, it describes the material that falls off the end of a sieve or processing belt. The term became standard in the mining industry during the 19th century.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Synonyms
Related words
Domains
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C2 ProficiencyIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.8.5–9.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 6.0114–120
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- C2 · Proficiency
- Updated
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