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?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.
?There has been an increasing move towards high-density thickened tailings systems over the last decade, mainly driven by the need to save water, meet environmental regulations and project specific demands. A typical tailings distribution system on a Tailings Storage Facility (TSF) consists of a main pipe with multiple discharges operating simultaneously, to distribute the slurry across an extended length over a specific area of the TSF at a time. A potential limitation of these systems is an uneven distribution of slurry flow rate and solids concentration between multiple spigot discharges, where an inadequate design can lead to laminar pipeline flow conditions resulting in particle segregation, and an increased risk of pipeline blockage. An operation with unbalanced flow rates could result in an uneven distribution of solids that could impact the formation of beach slopes and/or cause difficulties for the dam construction. Paterson & Cooke (P&C) has previously developed several thickened tailings distributed systems, where the discharge points are located on a distribution pipeline which branch off a main pipeline. This previous experience has allowed P&C to develop a methodology for the hydraulic modelling and implementation of these types of systems. This paper presents the methodology for distribution system deposition design review and its implementation of a TSF located in Southern Europe.
Given the current scenario experienced by Brazilian mining industry, the study and development of technologies that enable a more secure and controlled disposal of tailings has gained significant relevance. Among the various alternatives and disposal methodologies, Anglo American has been developing tests on different study fronts. Using dewatering polymers to improve tailings store potentials at tailings dam is one of the methods that has been studied extensively. The tested polymers can enhance de-watering performance and immobilization of mineral slurries during hydraulic deposition, therefore achieving optimization of tailings storage at the existing facility. The studies were divided into laboratory and industrial field-testing phases aiming to evaluate the applicability of this technology for eventual implementation at industrial scale. During the laboratory testing phase, more than two hundred tests were performed to determine the best polymer type, dilution and dosage. The parameters evaluated were based on yield stress measurements by a rheometer, slump tests performance and water released volume after 10 minutes and 24 hours after polymer addition. The results from laboratory testing phase have provided sufficient information for industrial scale trial. The second phase of the study consisted of an industrial field trial with polymer application in the tailings dam for five days. During the trial, topographic measurements were taken in order to evaluate the increase of settled material during the first kilometer after tailings discharge. The results demonstrated a significant increase of settled material and beach slope angle in the measured area. This showed a good potential for improved utilization of the storage in the tailings storage facility in the coming years.
While not specific to tailings, this webinar includes valuable knowledge for tailings engineers. This webinar series discusses and presents fundamental and advanced topics for engineering with GCLs, with emphasis on waste containment applications. This webinar presents dynamic internal and interface shear strength of GCLs, stability analyses, and case histories.
While not specific to tailings, this webinar includes valuable knowledge for tailings engineers. This webinar presents fundamental and advanced topics for hydraulic and chemical performance of GCLs in landfill bottom liner systems.
While not specific to tailings, this webinar includes valuable knowledge for tailings engineers. If you are a professional who needs to work with hydraulic engineers or read their reports as an input to your work, it is essential that you fully understand where they are coming from. This webinar will enable you to talk the talk and to understand the basis of the analyses that goes into hydraulic studies.
In the early 1960s, a series of field instrumentations were initiated by the US Bureau of Mines on hydraulic fill. These studies were conducted in order to better understand the characteristics of hydraulic backfill. Cemented paste backfill (CPB) has gained wider acceptance in the mining industry and the number of operations utilising CPB has expanded significantly. One of the earliest attempts at field measurement in CPB occurred over 20 years ago. Since then, extensive scientific research has been conducted on CPB material in order to provide mines with a rational design process; however, there has been limited published instrumentation programs. The authors affiliated company has been involved with in-stope backfill instrumentation programs at numerous operations. Because of the data collection and field experience, the authors have a better understanding of how in situ backfill behaves, and how operations can use this information to safely improve the efficiency of their backfilling operation. In order to improve the safety and efficiencies of backfilling for other mines and other practitioners, a collection of published data along with additional case studies are provided. This paper summarises both hydraulic and CPB instrumentation results focusing on the important mechanical properties of backfill: time to onset of effective stresses and hydrostatic loading (i.e. fluid backfill to soil?like material), influences of flushes, thermal expansion and contraction, and influences of seismic and blast events.
Mavres Petres mine is an underground mine, located in Chalkidiki, northern Greece, that is owned and operated by Hellas Gold; a wholly owned subsidiary of Eldorado Gold Corporation. The mine extracts a highgrade lead and zinc orebody using drift and fill mining method. Backfill is an integral part of mining cycle at Mavres Petres mine. Filtered coarse tailings mixed with cement are used for making cemented hydraulic backfill in a surface batching plant. The paper will discuss and present an overview of the backfill optimisation efforts at Mavres Petres mine, which includes recent changes and upgrades in the backfill plant, improved mix design, backfill quality control, and backfill delivery and placement in order to improve the operational efficiency, product consistency, safety and economic viability of the mine.
?Tailings transport is an integrated element in any wet tailings storage facility (TSF). Tailings from the process plant are often thickened to a moderate or relatively high (but still pumpable) solids concentration, depending on several parameters mainly the TSF deposition requirements and strategies, process plant water security status and the dewatering technology utilised. This paper overviews the transportation of paste and thickened tailings and discusses various aspects and considerations in the hydraulic design of the system. Material characteristics, flow behaviour assessment (rheological behaviour measurement and interpretation) and the basis of design definition are discussed. The recent developments in environmental authorities regulations associated with the tailings pipeline burst and leakage management are also reviewed in this paper. The tailings leakage and spillage to the environment is one the main concerns for any tailings hydraulic transportation system, therefore as part of the tailings pipeline design, the pipeline integrity failure (due to pipe wear, overpressure bursting etc.) should be thoroughly analysed to propose proper mitigation measures. The paper discusses a methodology to assess the potential tailings volume release to the environment in an event of the pipeline integrity failure which would be of interest to the operators and designers.