Metal sulphide tailings represent a potential risk basically for the environment and particularly for water resources, because of their natural oxidisability which leads to the production of acid/neutral mine drainage. The prospected site close to Marrakech includes zinc, lead and copper sulphide deposits. This site is located in an agricultural area where ground water is used both for irrigation and drinking. Eco-toxicological investigations have been undertaken in order to asses the tailings impact on water quality in nearby wells. These investigations include physico-chemical characterization of the groundwaters as well as faunistic population determination. As compared to standard wells, waters from the wells located downstream of the mining site, have high electrical conductivities and high major ions contents, which can reach : 755 mg l⁻¹ in SO₄ ²⁻, 1670 mg l⁻¹in Ca²⁺, 528 mg l⁻¹ in Mg²⁺, 2289 mg l⁻¹ in Na⁺ and 14981 mg l⁻¹ in Cl⁻. The fauna distribution analysis carried out around the studied wells shows qualitative and quantitative differences according to the flow gradient of the groundwaters. Areas located upstream of the mine tailings site are richer in stygobite species (Type and quantity) than those located downstream or close to it. It is likely that these biological differences are due to water quality alteration induced by the mining activity.

The substantial volumes of tailings produced during ore beneficiation present significant challenges for sustainable management due to potential public health hazards, particularly from metal leaching. The risk associated with tailings varies greatly depending on their mineralogical composition and climatic conditions. If tailings are classified as a non-hazardous by-product, they may serve as secondary raw materials, offering a sustainable alternative to the reliance on non-renewable primary resources. In this study, the recycling feasibility of tailings from an active copper mine was assessed through mineralogical characterization, environmental tests (e.g., static, kinetic, and leaching tests), and geochemical modeling. This multi-faceted approach aimed to predict the geochemical behavior and reactivity of tailings under varying conditions. Results from the static tests indicated that the tailings were non-acid generating. Weathering cell tests revealed circumneutral pH conditions (6.5–7.8), low sulfide oxidation rates, and low instantaneous metal concentrations (<1 mg/L), except for copper (0.6–3.5 mg/L) and iron (0.4–1.4 mg/L). These conditions are attributed to the low abundance of sulfide minerals, such as pyrite, chalcopyrite, bornite, covellite (<0.1 wt.%), and chalcocite (0.2 wt.%), which are effectively encapsulated within gangue minerals. Additionally, the presence of neutralizing minerals, specifically dolomite (27.4 wt.%) and calcite (2.4 wt.%), further stabilizes pH and promotes metal sequestration in secondary mineral forms. The Toxicity Characteristic Leaching Procedure (TCLP) test confirmed low leachability, classifying the tailings as non-hazardous.

The abandoned Kettara pyrrhotite mine (Marrakech region, Morocco) is a real source of acid mine drainage (AMD) and heavy metal pollution from previous mining operations—which has spread, particularly because of wind erosion. A store-and-release cover system made of phosphate wastes was built on the site for preventing AMD. To ensure the integrity of this cover and its durability, it is desirable to revegetate it (phytostabilization) with plants adapted to the edaphoclimatic conditions of the region. In this paper, a study was carried out on the spontaneous vegetation around the phosphate cover in order to consider the selection of plants to promote the stabilization of the Kettara mine tailings pond. Nine species of native plants with their rhizospheric soils growing in agricultural soils and tailings from the Kettara mine were collected, and metals (As, Cd, Co, Cu, Pb, Zn, Ni, Cr) were analyzed. The soil analysis showed that the tailings contained high concentrations of Cu (177.64 mg/kg) and Pb (116.80 mg/kg) and that the agricultural soil contained high concentrations of As (25.07 mg/kg) and Cu (251.96 mg/kg) exceeding the toxicity level (Cu > 100 mg/kg, Pb > 100 mg/kg, As > 20 mg/kg). The plant analysis showed low trace metal accumulation in Scolymus hispanicus, Festuca ovina, Cleome brachycarpa, Carlina involucrata and Peganum harmala. These species had a bioconcentration factor (BCF) greater than 1 and a translocation factor (TF) less than 1, demonstrating a high tolerance to trace metals. Therefore, they are good candidates for use in the phytoremediation of the Kettara mine tailings. These species could also potentially be used for the phytostabilization of the phosphate waste cover of the Kettara mine, thus completing the rehabilitation process of this area.