Lamont-Black, J, Jones, CJFP, Fourie, AB & Krüger, L 2010, 'Electrokinetic belt press dewatering of kimberlite tailings — case study of a full scale field trial', in R Jewell & AB Fourie (eds), Paste 2010: Proceedings of the Thirteenth International Seminar on Paste and Thickened Tailings, Australian Centre for Geomechanics, Perth, pp. 329-342, https://doi.org/10.36487/ACG_rep/1063_29_Lamont-Black
(https://papers.acg.uwa.edu.au/p/1063_29_Lamont-Black/)
Abstract: In the continuum of tailings dewatering, filtration is at one of a number of technologies routinely employed. 
Filtration rates are increased by steepening the hydraulic pressure gradient across the tailings by using 
vacuum and or pressure. Two common drawbacks associated with fine grained materials are (i) low 
hydraulic permeability such that flow rates are small and (ii) clogging and/or blinding of the filter medium 
e.g. a filter belt. Both effects reduce the overall dewatering rate. An alternative belt press technique is 
described in this paper, utilising newly developed conductive polymeric belts to produce filter belts that can 
be used to dewater ultrafine material using electro-osmosis. 
In April 2008 a full scale trial to dewater ultrafine kimberlite tailings was undertaken using an electrokinetic 
belt filter press. The trial successfully dewatered a stream of kimberlite paste at approximately 50% dry 
solids content to produce a stable solid cake at approximately 75% dry solids. The paper describes the trial 
and gives details of the technical and financial benefits that the electrokinetic technique offers to the 
treatment and disposal of paste including: significant recovery of water; significant reduction in energy 
usage; reduction in the volume of waste to be discarded; and a reduction in the cost of tailings waste 
disposal. 
The development of electrokinetic dewatering of tailings has other potential advantages including the 
elimination of the need for slimes dams in their current form and replacement by compacted landforms that 
pose considerably lower geotechnical and environmental risk.