The profile of a delta formed by fine-grained mineral processing wastes, disposed of as aqueous slurries by subaerial deposition from a pipeline, has a significant bearing on the volume that is available for waste and water storage in a given containment structure. Earlier field data and laboratory experiments suggested that mine waste delta profiles could be predicted with good accuracy using data from small-scale laboratory deposition tests. The relationships between the profiles of full-size and laboratory-model deltas are analysed using the principles of kinematic similarity and a recent theory of delta formation based on engineering hydraulics. Measured profiles of full-size and model coal-mine tailings deltas are compared and the prediction of full-size profiles is discussed. It is shown that the data derived from laboratory-model deltas are insufficient to enable accurate prediction of full-size delta profiles. Initial slope data or other, equivalent data for the full-size delta are also required
