Among the resources listed, the mining of copper generally produces the most toxic waste. Copper mining often involves the extraction of ore through processes that can generate significant amounts of waste material, including tailings and smelting byproducts, which can contain harmful substances such as heavy metals and sulfur compounds. This can lead to serious environmental pollution if not managed correctly.
Tin mining also produces waste, particularly in the case of alluvial mining, which can lead to habitat destruction and pollution, but the scale and types of toxic byproducts from copper mining are typically more extensive. Quartz and silica mining tend to have lower toxicity issues in comparison to the metals mined.