Recycling Potential of Waste from the Zavallivsk Graphite Deposit for Ukraine’s Post-War Reconstruction

Abstract

At the current stage of economic development, considering Ukraine’s natural conditions, resource potential, and the goals outlined in the Strategy for Sustainable Development, greater attention should be given to dumps and tailings of so-called waste rocks. These formations create landscape and technical systems around all mining and quarrying facilities. Ukraine, as a country with intensive economic use, hosts numerous industrial enterprises engaged in mineral extraction. This study explores the potential for recycling waste rock dumps at the Zavallivsk graphite deposit, which can contribute to Ukraine’s post-war reconstruction, both nationally and within the Zavallivsk settlement-territorial community. A radiation and hygienic assessment of the rocks in the planned mining area is provided. Additionally, the study presents the morphometric parameters of the waste dump from the overburden storage and tailings storage facility No. 2. The mineralogical and chemical composition of waste rocks accumulated in the dump and tailings pond were analyzed. Proposed industries for utilizing the accumulated materials are outlined, along with a specialization direction for the Zavallivsk settlement-territorial community in producing environmentally friendly materials. Furthermore, the volumes of garnet ore accumulated in the waste rock dump are specifically indicated. The current directions of their industrial application have been determined.