Risk Analysis of Mining Waste Dumps: A Scoping Review

Waste rock dumps are considered low-risk compared to other mining environmental liabilities, although in recent years the study of their associated risks has increased. This article presents an exploratory review of risk analysis in mining waste rock dumps to determine the scope of research in this area. Various online databases were used to identify articles published between 2017 and 2026, and 24 studies from around the world were selected, from which bibliometric information on research contributions and observed gaps was extracted. Most articles focused on metal mining (54.2%) and geochemical risks (66.7%), with a lower incidence of studies on geophysical risks (33.3%). The main risks identified were the effects of acid mine drainage and heavy metals on soil and water, as well as landslides; all of this was based on laboratory and field tests, although a trend toward the use of technology for risk analysis is observed. While the risk analysis of mining environmental liabilities is a well-documented topic, the study of waste rock dumps helps to visualize the risks of these liabilities—which are often considered inert—and, above all, the use of emerging technologies in the analysis and mitigation of risks and their impacts.