Mining waste and tailings are currently stored in engineered tailings ponds and waste piles. While they are designed for safe long-term storage and many are progressively rehabilitated, they can still be an environmental liability to the mining company and the public. On the other hand, there are mining operations in North America that exploit silica sand from primary deposits for glass, ceramic, and other industries. These deposits commonly have high-purity silica sand, thus minimal processing is required to meet the product specification. More rigorous processing is likely needed to produce silica from mine waste that can meet the product specification.