Before commencing with any test work, it is of vital importance that samples are properly mixed and prepared to ensure that the test work is conducted on representative samples. Excessive mixing and agitation may degrade the sample and change the particle size shape and distribution. For fine, thickened tailings such as this, gentle agitation ensures … Read More
In-line flocculation is becoming increasingly more common in tailings dewatering. In fine tailings storage facilities, problematic clay mineral particles may not settle effectively and additional processes are required to promote dewatering. One process is to use polymer flocculation. A polymer solution is generally used to collect particles into larger groupings so they can be more … Read More
This article presents the importance of a holistic approach to improve the performance of mine waste disposal systems treating ores with a variable mineralogy. Mine tailings that contain clay minerals such as iIlite, kaolinite and/or smectites are particularly difficult to dewater using thickeners. Small variations in mineralogy result in significant variability in thickener underflow densities … Read More
Are you planning to install a new paste fill system at your mine? Or maybe your ore reserves have increased and mining production is scheduled to be ramped up going forward. It is vital that any mine considering implementing a new paste plant or increasing mining production rates should be comfortable that the capacity of … Read More
The ASTM slump test has been the backbone of the pastefill plant quality control program since it was adopted from the concrete industry in the early days of pastefill system development. It is a simple test that provides a quick evaluation of the consistency of the paste. This consistency is related to the ability of … Read More
I was working with my P&C teammates on a brownfields tailings project where the owner was planning to construct a new tailings storage facility (TSF). The new TSF was adjacent to the existing TSF and the tailings pipeline was planned to run along the crest of the existing TSF and then drop down to the … Read More
When designing an underground mine, one of the key decisions is whether to backfill the voids left by mining. The backfilling decision is generally influenced by a range of factors which commonly include: Environmental constraints Surface disposal limitations Management of surface subsidence Promotion of mine stability Reducing the volume of waste hauled to surface Enabling … Read More
The use of cemented paste backfill in underground mining is commonplace as a method for tailings disposal, rockmass confinement or minimising convergence between the hanging wall and foot wall of the operation. The application of a cemented paste fill can also enable greater extraction ratios within certain deposits, as ore that would ordinarily be left … Read More
Many slurry pumping systems in the mining industry operate over a wide range of duties as processing requirements and material properties change. The pump selection must be able to achieve the maximum duty point, and often this is the only duty used for selection, which includes the application of industry standard guideline operating limits, such … Read More
Paterson & Cooke is currently engaged on several tailings pumping system upgrade projects. These are typically associated with increased throughput requirements (associated with a plant expansion), increased pumping head requirement, (associated with increased pumping distance to a new tailings storage facility, or increased elevation on an existing TSF). A common feature on many of these … Read More