Question

What is not true about tailings?

O they can contain high concentration of lead (pb)
O they can degrade water and air quality around mines
O they need to be preserved as they contain valuable minerals
O they are considered toxic waste

Answer 1

Tailings do not need to be preserved for their valuable minerals; they are a form of toxic waste that can harm the environment and are managed to prevent contamination.

Step-by-step explanation:

The statement about tailings that is not true is that they need to be preserved as they contain valuable minerals. Tailings are indeed considered toxic waste, often containing high concentrations of lead (Pb) and can degrade water and air quality around mines.

However, tailings, particularly from uranium mining, generally do not contain enough valuable minerals to be preserved for further mining; instead, they are hazardous and must be managed carefully to prevent environmental contamination.