Paste Tailings Management

Surface paste disposal (SPD) has been proposed in the mining industry as an attractive option to conventional tailings and mine waste management methods, since it allows for a smaller tailings impoundment area, increased water management capabilities and less environmental impact. SPD consists in the deposition of mine tailings at a higher percent solid (typically > 70%) in relatively thin layers that are allowed to drain and dry before the next layer is put in place. The term «paste» typically signifies that tailings will not result in segregation of fine and coarse particles during transport and will exhibit minimal bleeding after the final placement of paste tailings. This book investigates a field study through large-scale experimental cells to assess SPD application for tailings subjected to actual climatic conditions. The results obtained will bring a new light to waste management planners and mine operators. Most modern mines worldwide will shift their current tailings management systems to innovative paste technology. It is strongly believed that this book will be of noteworthy value to those involved in mining operations, students, researchers, academics and consultants.

Cemented paste backfill (CPB) technology is now widely utilized by most modern underground hard rock mines in Canada, Australia, the United States, South Africa and Turkey. CPB is a cementitious material produced with three ingredients: filtered wet tailings, hydraulic binders, and mixing water to ensure the paste's flowability in pipeline for final deposition. This book investigates CPB technology using a recently designed lab apparatus called CUAPS (curing under applied pressure system) that estimates in situ CPB conditions. The CUAPS apparatus has been demonstrated as a practical and cost-effective tool that effectively replaces the traditional approach using non-perforated plastic moulds. The results obtained with the CUAPS apparatus will contribute to improve the safety of mines and miners and provide a better understanding of paste backfill. Each section of this book represents an original contribution to the science and engineering of paste backfill. This book provides some theoretical and experimental bases for designing paste backfill mixtures in terms of cost savings and safety and for incorporating in situ backfill behaviour and properties.

Chapter 1:Introduction.- Chapter 2: Practical Importance of Tailings for Cemented Paste Backfill.- Chapter 3: Rheological Properties of Fresh Cemented Paste Tailings.- Chapter 4: Properties of Cemented Paste Backfill.- Chapter 5: Design and Characterization of Underground Paste Backfill.- Chapter 6: Field Properties and Performance of Surface Paste Disposal.- Chapter 7: Instrumentation of Underground Backfill and Surface Disposal.- Chapter 8: Cemented Paste Backfill Pressure Monitoring and Field Testing.- Chapter 9: Risk Assessment for Paste Tailings Projects.- Chapter 10: Cayeli Paste Backfill System and Operations.- Chapter 11: Boulby Mine Backfill System.- Chapter 12:Case Studies Paste Backfill Plants. This book provides an overview of paste tailings disposal at mine sites. It deals comprehensively with the characterization of sulphide-rich tailings, geotechnical and microstructural behaviour, surface tailings disposal applications, underground paste backfilling, and case studies. The authors place emphasis on the characterization, monitoring, disposal and treatment, as well as environmental considerations of problematic sulphidic tailings. The framework is supported by worldwide case studies.