The clarified water is purified and then is either discharged into local basins or returned to the concentration plant for reuse.

http://encyclopedia2.thefreedictionary.com/Tailing ponds

http://www.wordreference.com/es/en/translation.asp?spen=cube...

Depresión del terreno ocupada por aguas permanentes o temporales y que constituye una cuenca cerrada.

http://lema.rae.es/drae/?val=cubeta





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Note added at 40 mins (2013-01-03 15:14:31 GMT)
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Also, 'collection pond'.

Collection ponds capture water that may require treatment. For example, collection ponds collect water from:

around the processing plant (7) and water treatment plant areas, where chemicals are used and there may be a risk of spillage outside bunded areas
around the base of the tailings storage facilities, where runoff from potentially acid-forming (PAF) material may be unacceptable for direct discharge if, for instance, liming of the PAF material was inadequate.
Water collected from the above sources is tested and if it meets the discharge criteria, it is released into the Ohinemuri River. Water which requires treatment is directed to the water treatment plant (8) to ensure it meets the required standards prior to release (9).

The collection ponds are sized to collect the runoff arising from a 10 year, 72 hour storm, and appropriate pumping systems are put in place to direct the water to the water treatment plant. This is to ensure that, in the worst case, discharges from the collection ponds will not elevate in-river metals concentrations to above the USEPA chronic guideline values, and therefore will not cause significant adverse environmental effects on the river or its aquatic biology.

In practice, the collection pond water quality is greatly improved by regular liming and sealing of PAF areas, and by carrying out progressive rehabilitation. Collection ponds that contain acceptable water quality can be reclassified as silt ponds, and the water can be discharged directly to the river. This, however, is subject to continuous water quality monitoring being carried out to prevent an out-of-specification discharge.

http://www.waihigold.co.nz/environment/environmental-managem...