Stamp sand, the waste material left after ore processing, was traditionally discarded but is now being reclaimed for new uses. Stamp mills produced so much sand that it was used to cover icy roads. Some sand deposits contain dangerous heavy metals, but many have been contained and cleaned up for reuse. Reclaimed sand requires less production and reduces the need for tapping into other natural resources. It also benefits communities by removing unsightly sand mounds.
The coarse material left over after the ore is processed in a die mill is die sand. Traditionally it has been considered waste and discarded. In the following years, with the improvement of the methods of processing the material, various projects were launched to reclaim the sand deposits from trampling for new uses.
During the early years of metal production, stamp sand was usually deposited near the stamp mill. Most of the structures were built on the banks of rivers and lakes so that water could be used for steam energy. Sometimes there would be so much sand dumped into the water that it would create new bodies of land.
One of the largest deposits of stamp sand is that of copper processing in Michigan. It is located in a region called Copper County. The stamp mills produced so much material that the sand was used for other purposes, such as covering icy roads instead of road salt.
There was some concern that the sand deposits of stamps could pose a risk to the environment. This is because some traces of heavy metals in the sand can contain dangerous elements such as arsenic. The level of risk depends on the concentration of the metals and the content. Not all deposits are necessarily dangerous.
However, many dumping sites have been contained so that the sand from the stamps can be cleaned up. Once the sand has been removed, it is typically replaced with clean earth so that the earth can be used for other purposes. Otherwise, the occupants of businesses and residences built on top of the warehouses are likely to be at risk.
Stamp sand has also been reclaimed by many parties who wish to use the material further. This has become increasingly common as new methods have been developed to further process the sand. For example, sand from Michigan has been used to make roof tiles. This is a particularly useful application as copper counteracts moss growth and is a key element in reclaimed sand.
There are several advantages to using sand from old deposits. Besides being a source of material for other purposes, because it is recycled, it requires less production. The use of sand reduces the need to tap into other natural resources. It’s also beneficial to the communities where the deposits are located, as sand mounds tend to be unsightly.
A stamp mill extracts valuable metallic elements from rocks by first stamping. This is what creates stamp sand. The rest of the material is treated physically or mechanically so that the metal can be extracted.
Protect your devices with Threat Protection by NordVPN
