?One of the key parameters in successful implementation of thickened tailings schemes for tailings management is the achievable tailings beach slope. Study of geomorphology and hydrodynamics of tailings beaches has shown that the achievable beach slope is directly proportional to tailings solids concentration (i.e. rheology) and inversely proportional to discharge flowrate. Splitting the total tailings flowrate from the process plant, into multiple spigots prior to discharge to a Tailings Storage Facility (TSF), will result in formation of a steeper beach profile which will increase the storage capacity. Additionally, uniform distribution and discharge of tailings into the TSF is a key element in filling the storage evenly and optimising the TSF effective storage capacity. Two different generic spigot arrangement systems are usually used in practice for flow splitting: Linear Discharge System (LDS) and Central Discharge System (CDS). The main components and pros and cons of each system are discussed and compared in this paper. Items covered include hydraulics, operational challenges and effectiveness in flow splitting, minimising flows merging on the beach to achieve a uniform deposition and steeper beach slope, and the overall costs of the tailings management system (including tailings transport, distribution system and embankment construction). There are many aspects to be considered, but overall it is concluded that in the cases for which that the comparison has been undertaken, the CDS is a more effective, easier to operate and a less costly design than the LDS.
Evaluation of highly thickened tailings technologies requires that during early design stages an understanding is developed for the range of feasible beach slopes to be achieved during deposition. A comprehensive evaluation of the whole range of factors that influence the beach formation process is paramount to ensure that expected performance during design stages is met throughout operations. This paper presents an integral approach for beach slope estimation, considering a broader range of aspects affecting the beach formation process than those commonly used in current models (rheology and discharge rate of the deposited tailings). The additional aspects considered by this approach are site conditions (site morphology and climate), the rate of rise of the tailings impounded (the relationship between the tailings production rate and the available area for tailings spreading) and the deposition sequence (the configuration of the deposition system and its operation, e.g. thin layer deposition with drying cycles). The approach is supported by a beach slope model based on a dimensionless parameter for non-Newtonian flows, associated with sheet flows on an inclined plane, which directly relates to the tailings beach slope expected to be formed due to sub-aerial disposal. This dimensionless parameter provides a closed expression for estimating tailings beach slopes based on rheological properties and discharge rates, but with the integration of site conditions, rate of rise and deposition sequence. High thickened tailings management facility (TMF) design is well supported by this approach, providing key input as the configuration of the distribution system and the minimum area required to achieve expected performance with respect to desired beach slope, density, degree of saturation and strength.