Luppnow, D, Moreno, J & Palape, M 2009, 'Control and Management of Thickened Tailings Beach — A Simplified Approach', in R Jewell, AB Fourie, S Barrera & J Wiertz (eds), Paste 2009: Proceedings of the Twelfth International Seminar on Paste and Thickened Tailings, Australian Centre for Geomechanics, Perth, pp. 245-250, https://doi.org/10.36487/ACG_repo/963_28
(https://papers.acg.uwa.edu.au/p/963_28_Luppnow/)
Abstract: Prediction of the beach slope profile in thickened tailings disposal is currently being approached by methods 
based on empirical expressions or by undertaking pilot plant trials. In order to estimate the beach slope 
using empirical methods, it is generally necessary to know the flow rate of the slurry, its density, its solids 
content and the rheology of the slurry 
The rheology of the slurry is usually described using the Herschel-Bulkley model or Bingham plastic model. 
These models require a laboratory test programme to estimate the yield stress, viscosity and the Herschel-
Bulkley indices. This process can be time consuming and expensive for high level engineering design, and 
for ongoing control and management of tailings beach. 
The Esperanza thickened tailings project included a pilot plant where several laboratory tests were 
developed for various solids content. The resulting data was used as an input for the beach slope estimation 
method based on non-Newtonian open channel flows. 
The results of the prediction indicated that there is a strong correlation between the yield stress and the 
beach slope.  
Considering the yield stress as an indicator of the beach slope, a method for control and management of 
beach slope is suggested.  
Prediction of the tailings beach has been significantly researched during the last years and there are few 
methods currently available from the literature. SRK has used a simplified method to predict and control 
tailings beach. Experiences with conventional operations in South Africa (platinum tailings spigotting) and 
TTD systems in Australia were combined and applied for the Esperanza tailings system design where 
disposal strategy consists in using multiple spigots to actively manage the beach to achieve the required 
slope.