The data on the content of useful components in the wastes of non-ferrous metallurgy enterprises and the dynamics of their growth are given. The features of formation of technogenic deposits and distribution of non-ferrous metals within them are studied. It is established that although the content of metals in the technogenic deposit changes in different directions, the maximum changes are most often observed vertically. The requirements to technological schemes of technogenic deposits mining are substantiated and methods of selective excavation of useful components from tailing ponds of enrichment plants are proposed, providing for the extraction of only the most enriched areas with leaving the bulk of rocks in the place of their occurrence.
