How Do You Spell TAILINGS?

Pronunciation: [tˈe͡ɪlɪŋz] (IPA)

Tailings refers to the residual matter that settles after the processing of ore. It is pronounced /ˈteɪlɪŋz/ with the stress on the first syllable, 'tay'. The pronunciation of the word corresponds with the standard English spelling that adheres to phonetic rules. The letter "ai" in "tailings" is pronounced with a long "a" sound. The letter "l" is pronounced in the same way as it is in the word "live." The suffix "ings" is pronounced as "ings." Overall, the word is spelled and pronounced similarly to other English words of the same pattern.

TAILINGS Meaning and Definition

1. Tailings are the materials, usually in the form of slurry or fine particles, that remain after the extraction and processing of minerals from ore by various industrial methods such as mining, milling, or ore dressing. These residues or waste materials are typically left over once the valuable metals, minerals, or elements have been extracted from the original ore. Tailings can contain a variety of materials depending on the type of ore being processed, including but not limited to rock fragments, sand, silts, clay, chemicals, and even trace amounts of the valuable minerals and metals that were not successfully recovered during the initial extraction process.

   Tailings are typically stored in specially designed containment areas or tailings ponds, which are engineered to minimize the environmental impact and prevent the release of potentially harmful substances into the surrounding ecosystem. However, improper storage or management of tailings can result in environmental contamination and pose a risk to various components of the ecosystem, including surface and groundwater.

   Special attention needs to be paid to the long-term management and monitoring of tailings, as they can contain toxic or hazardous substances that may persist in the environment for many years or even decades. Effective tailings management, including appropriate handling, storage, treatment, and eventual reclamation of these waste materials, is necessary to minimize the potential environmental and human health risks associated with their presence.

2. The lighter parts of grain in winnowing.

   Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.

Etymology of TAILINGS

The word "tailings" has its roots in the mining industry. It is derived from the verb "tail", which means to remove the tail or end portion of something. In mining, "tailings" refers to the residue or waste material left over after the valuable components of an ore have been extracted. This material, which typically consists of ground rock, minerals, and chemicals, is discarded as it has no further economically viable use. The term "tailings" emerged in the mid-19th century and has been widely used in the context of mining operations ever since.