Experimental study and numerical reproduction of self-weight consolidation behavior of thickened tailings

Abstract: Thickened tailings, defined as mineral wastes that behave as a non-Newtonian fluid, show a small yield stress and release a small amount of water following deposition. Thickening has become an increasingly used option in tailings management. This paper presents a detailed examination of gold mine thickened tailings undergoing self-weight consolidation, which is an important mechanism affecting soft soils immediately after deposition. Self-weight consolidation was evaluated using a column equipped with water pressure transmitters whereas a slurry consolidometer was employed to obtain the compressibility relationship under low vertical effective stresses. The piecewise-linear model CS2 was used to model the experimental self-weight consolidation test. This model proved very accurate in reproducing the observed behavior. Both the test results and the model results also confirmed the absence of sedimentation in the thickened tailings, which is in agreement with values reported in the literature related to similar materials

Geotechnical considerations in mine backfilling in Australia

Mine backfilling can play a significant role in the overall operation of a mine operation. In the Australian mining industry, where safety is a prime consideration, hydraulic systems are the most common backfills deployed. Many accidents reported at hydraulic fill mines worldwide have mainly been attributed to a lack of understanding of their behaviour and barricade bricks. This paper describes the findings from an extensive laboratory test programme carried out in Australia on more than 20 different hydraulic fills and several barricade bricks. A limited description of paste backfills is also provided, and the usefulness of numerical modelling as an investigative tool is highlighted