Socio-Environmental Risks Linked with Mine Tailings Chemical Composition: Promoting Responsible and Safe Mine Tailings Management Considering Copper and Gold Mining Experiences from Chile and Peru

There is a need to define mine tailings in a clear, precise, multidisciplinary, transdisciplinary, and holistic manner, considering not only geotechnical and hydraulic concepts but also integrating environmental and geochemical aspects with implications for the sustainability of mining. This article corresponds to an independent study that answers questions concerning the definition of mine tailings and the socio-environmental risks linked with mine tailings chemical composition by examining the practical experience of industrial-scale copper and gold mining projects in Chile and Peru. Definitions of concepts and analysis of key aspects in the responsible management of mine tailings, such as characterization of metallic–metalloid components, non-metallic components, metallurgical reagents, and risk identification, among others, are presented. Implications of potential environmental impacts from the generation of acid rock drainage (ARD) in mine tailings are discussed. Finally, the article concludes that mine tailings are potentially toxic to both communities and the environment, and cannot be considered as inert and innocuous materials; thus, mine tailings require safe, controlled, and responsible management with the application of the most high management standards, use of the best available technologies (BATs), use of best applicable practices (BAPs), and implementation of the best environmental practices (BEPs) to avoid risk and potential socio-environmental impact due to accidents or failure of tailings storage facilities (TSFs)

Research Thesis for Undergraduate Engineering Programs in the Digitalization Era: Learning Strategies and Responsible Research Conduct Road to a University Education 4.0 Paradigm

Many university students have doubts about how or where to start writing their undergraduate thesis work; it is common not to be clear how to identify a research problem or even towards which topic their research is oriented, and there are doubts about how to process and systematize so much information available in the era of digitalization. This article presents learning strategies to formulate a research thesis for engineering undergraduate programs, with an emphasis on the use of information and communication technologies (ICTs) toward a University Education 4.0 paradigm. The main themes and issues discussed in this article, carried out through learning strategies for students based on the scientific method, are the following: (i) Recommendations for choosing a research topic, (ii) Guidelines for problem identification and question research, (iii) Suggestions for choosing a thesis advisor, (iv) Instructions for finding suitable sources of information, (v) Structure of the table of contents for writing the thesis manuscript, and (vi) Indications for preparing an oral defense of thesis research. This article highlights recommendations and precautions directed towards professors and students with the use of the chatbot-type artificial intelligence (AI) tool called ChatGPT for the formulation of the thesis under a responsible conduct approach in research. This article concludes that the application of tutoring/guidance strategies between professors and students requires an adequate ethical use of information and communication technologies (ICTs) during the development of a research thesis to generate a comprehensive educational environment that encourages research and develops a sustainable learning process in the context of the University Education 4.0 paradigm

Low-cost sensors technologies for monitoring sustainability and safety issues in mining activities: advances, gaps, and future directions in the digitalization for smart mining

Nowadays, monitoring aspects related to sustainability and safety in mining activities worldwide are a priority, to mitigate socio-environmental impacts, promote efficient use of water, reduce carbon footprint, use renewable energies, reduce mine waste, and minimize the risks of accidents and fatalities. In this context, the implementation of sensor technologies is an attractive alternative for the mining industry in the current digitalization context. To have a digital mine, sensors are essential and form the basis of Industry 4.0, and to allow a more accelerated, reliable, and massive digital transformation, low-cost sensor technology solutions may help to achieve these goals. This article focuses on studying the state of the art of implementing low-cost sensor technologies to monitor sustainability and safety aspects in mining activities, through the review of scientific literature. The methodology applied in this article was carried out by means of the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines and generating science mapping. For this, a methodological procedure of three steps was implemented: (i) Bibliometric analysis as a quantitative method, (ii) Systematic review of literature as a qualitative method, and (iii) Mixed review as a method to integrate the findings found in (i) and (ii). Finally, according to the results obtained, the main advances, gaps, and future directions in the implementation of low-cost sensor technologies for use in smart mining are exposed. Digital transformation aspects for data measurement with low-cost sensors by real-time monitoring, use of wireless network systems, artificial intelligence, machine learning, digital twins, and the Internet of Things, among other technologies of the Industry 4.0 era are discussed.The authors are indebted to the projects PID2021-126405OB-C31 and PID2021-126405OB-C32 funded by FEDER funds—A Way to Make Europe and Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness MICIN/AEI/10.13039/501100011033/. The financial support of the Research Department of the Catholic University of Temuco and the Civil Engineering Department of the University of Castilla-La Mancha is also appreciated.Peer ReviewedPostprint (published version

Process Water Management and Seepage Control in Tailings Storage Facilities: Engineered Environmental Solutions Applied in Chile and Peru

In the past thirty years many mining projects in Chile and Peru have used: (i) polymeric geomembranes and (ii) design-and-build cutoff trenches, plastic concrete slurry walls, and grout curtain systems to control seepage at tailings storage facilities (TSFs). Geosynthetics are a viable alternative at a TSF dam for clay cores or impermeable materials, mainly because of their marked advantages in cost, installation, and construction time. This article describes the use of geosynthetics liners and cutoff trench–plastic concrete slurry walls–grout curtain systems in TSF dams in Chile and Peru mining, with the objective to decrease seepage to the environment, considering different dam material cases such as: cycloned tailings sand dams, borrow dams, and mine waste rock dams. Finally, this article discusses aspects of geosynthetic technology acceptance in the local regulatory frameworks, lessons learned, and advances. It focuses on the use and implementation of geosynthetics in TSFs in Chile and Peru, which have some of the highest TSF dams in the world, as well as a wet environment, dry environment, extreme topography, and severe seismic conditions. These conditions constitute a challenge for manufacturers, engineers, and contractors, who must achieve optimal technical solutions, while being environmentally aware and economic

An Alternative Technology to Obtain Dewatered Mine Tailings: Safe and Control Environmental Management of Filtered and Thickened Copper Mine Tailings in Chile

An alternative process to obtain a high degree of dewatering tailings that produces a high-density product is presented in this article. This technology involves the combination of tailings particle grain size classification by hydrocyclones (HC) and tailings dewatering by horizontal vibratory screens (HVS). It makes it possible to dewater tailings to a high grade of performance. This alternative technology (HC-HVS) involves the recovery of water from the coarse fraction of tailings (sands) through two hydrocycloning stages, followed by a dewatering stage of cycloned tailings sands on horizontal vibratory screens, to reduce moisture content and turn it into a “cake”. The resulting coarse fraction tailings are easily transported to a dry stack tailings storage facility (TSF). The fine fraction of tailings (slimes) can be dewatered on thickener equipment to recover part of the process water. Finally, this article describes the main benefits of this alternative dewatered tailings technology with an emphasis on (i) dewatering technology evolution over the last 17 years; (ii) process stages features; (iii) pilot test results; (iv) tailings properties analysis (such as particle grain size distribution, fines content) and (v) lessons learned about the experience gained in the operation of Mantos Blancos case study with dry stack tailings storage facility

Dry Stacking of Filtered Tailings for Large-Scale Production Rates over 100,000 Metric Tons per Day: Envisioning the Sustainable Future of Mine Tailings Storage Facilities

Communities and authorities have been dismayed by globally recorded tailings storage facility (TSF) failures in recent years, which have negatively affected the safety of people and the integrity of the environment. In this context, obtaining the social and environmental license to operate TSFs has become a challenging process for mining companies. This has promoted the trend of using mine tailings dewatering technologies in the mining industry, with dry stacking of filtered mine tailings being recognized worldwide as one of the most acceptable, safe, and environmentally friendly solutions. This article presents a new paradigm in managing mine tailings, with disruptive and futuristic characteristics, considering the dry stacking of filtered mine tailings for large-scale industrial production rates over 100,000 metric tons per day (mtpd). Aspects of filtered tailings management are discussed, such as (i) dewatering process plant with thickening/filtering equipment, (ii) conveyance using fixed and movable conveyor belts, (iii) construction of dry stacking of filtered mine tailings facility, and (iv) implementation of Industry 4.0 technologies for automation of the mining processes. Finally, the article discusses how the large-scale filtered mine tailings solution is applied, considering the advances in the equipment’s performance and implementation of Industry 4.0 technologies as well as the experience gained worldwide in several mining operations. The future global trend is that mining operations with high daily production of mine tailings will apply dry stacking technology without dams to guarantee sustainability, promote continuity of the mining business, ensure the safety of communities, and conserve the environment

Mecánica De Fluidos-GM65-201801

Descripción: El curso de Mecánica de Fluidos brinda los criterios y fundamentos necesarios para que el futuro Ingeniero de Gestión Minera tenga los conocimientos generales de las propiedades de los fluidos la teoría y las leyes fundamentales que describen el comportamiento de los fluidos en reposo y en movimiento. Se presenta la ecuación general de conservación en un volumen de control y se desarrolla las ecuaciones de continuidad de cantidad de movimiento de energía y de momento de la cantidad de movimiento. Se estudian elementos fundamentales de la hidráulica experimental el análisis dimensional y la semejanza dinámica así como el efecto de la viscosidad en situaciones de flujo de fluidos en particular del flujo permanente a presión en tuberías y métodos para el cálculo hidráulico de redes abiertas y cerradas. De este modo se sienta las bases necesarias que permitan el estudio del flujo en conductos abiertos y cerrados tales como: canales tuberías ríos flujo en medio poroso etc.Propósito:El curso de mecánica de fluidos para el aprendizaje ha sido diseñado con el propósito de permitir al futuro Ingeniero de Gestión minera a desarrollar sus competencias en conocer y controlar las propiedades la teoría y las leyes fundamentales que describen el comportamiento de los fluidos en reposo y en movimiento identificados en los procesos operacionales de la mina subterránea y superficial.El presente curso pertenece a la especialidad de la carrera de Ingeniería de la Gestión Minera además es de carácter teórico práctico y está dirigido a los estudiantes del sexto ciclo que busca desarrollar la competencia de aplicación de conocimientos de ciencias (Nivel 2). El curso tiene los siguientes prerrequisitos: MA264 Ecuaciones Diferenciales y Álgebra Lineal y MA462 Física II.Tesi

Mecánica De Fluidos-GM65-201901

Descripción El curso de Mecánica de Fluidos brinda los criterios y fundamentos necesarios para que el futuro Ingeniero de Gestión Minera tenga los conocimientos generales de las propiedades de los fluidos la teoría y las leyes fundamentales que describen el comportamiento de los fluidos en reposo y en movimiento. Se presenta la ecuación general de conservación en un volumen de control y se desarrolla las ecuaciones de continuidad de cantidad de movimiento de energía y de momento de la cantidad de movimiento. Se estudian elementos fundamentales de la hidráulica experimental el análisis dimensional y la semejanza dinámica así como el efecto de la viscosidad en situaciones de flujo de fluidos en particular del flujo permanente a presión en tuberías y métodos para el cálculo hidráulico de redes abiertas y cerradas. De este modo se sienta las bases necesarias que permitan el estudio del flujo en conductos abiertos y cerrados tales como: canales tuberías ríos flujo en medio poroso etc.PropósitoEl curso de mecánica de fluidos para el aprendizaje ha sido diseñado con el propósito de permitir al futuro Ingeniero de Gestión minera a desarrollar sus competencias en conocer y controlar las propiedades la teoría y las leyes fundamentales que describen el comportamiento de los fluidos en reposo y en movimiento identificados en los procesos operacionales de la mina subterránea y superficial.El presente curso pertenece a la especialidad de la carrera de Ingeniería de la Gestión Minera además es de carácter teórico práctico y está dirigido a los estudiantes del sexto ciclo que busca desarrollar la competencia de aplicación de conocimientos de ciencias (Nivel 2). El curso tiene los siguientes prerrequisitos: MA264 Ecuaciones Diferenciales y Álgebra Lineal y MA462 Física II