Meiring, S 2023, 'The production and management of coal and copper dry tailings', in GW Wilson, NA Beier, DC Sego, AB Fourie & D Reid (eds), Paste 2023: Proceedings of the 25th International Conference on Paste, Thickened and Filtered Tailings, University of Alberta, Edmonton, and Australian Centre for Geomechanics, Perth, pp. 429-439, https://doi.org/10.36487/ACG_repo/2355_32
(https://papers.acg.uwa.edu.au/p/2355_32_Meiring/)
Abstract: The management and production of dry tailings present some considerable advantages to mining companies. The advantages are based on the technology selected, the composition of material and a number of other process variables. Rapidly developing dewatering technologies and reliable equipment for the production of dry tailings are making it viable in an increasingly large number of high tonnage operations. Various techniques for the production and handling of dry tailings have become the most desired trend, with different options available.
This paper reviews existing and potential applications of dry tailings technology for the treatment and management of wastes from coal and copper tailings operations. The advantages of coarse particle flotation (CPF) with regards to tailings are shared. The influence of particle size distribution, plant configurations, the composition of tailings and the management thereof are discussed, based on recent tailings applications. Recent changes to thickener and filtration technologies are provided.

Keywords: coarse particle flotation, dewatering, composition, moisture