Authors: Mizani, S; Simms, P; He, L

Paper is not available for download
Contact Us

DOI https://doi.org/10.36487/ACG_rep/1063_34_Mizani

Cite As:
Mizani, S, Simms, P & He, L 2010, '‘Out of pipe’ dewatering of thickened tailings during deposition', 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. 393-402, https://doi.org/10.36487/ACG_rep/1063_34_Mizani

Download citation as:   ris   bibtex   endnote   text   Zotero


Abstract:
One of the challenges and opportunities in managing the deposition of surface deposited thickened tailings is the potential for a change in the rheological properties after they exit the pipe during deposition. As tailings flow away from the deposition point, for a slow enough flow, there may be sufficient time for water loss due to “bleeding” and possibly capillary action by underlying desiccated tailings. This was studied using single and multilayer tests in a flume, in which tailings were deposited at a variety of flow rates. Changes in the rheological properties were evaluated by fitting the lubrication theory equations (Henriquez and Simms 2009; Liu and Mei, 1989) to equilibrium profiles. The rheological properties of the tailings were characterised using slump tests and a vane rheometer. The geometry of the flows was visualised using high speed cameras. The water flux out of the flowing tailings into underlying desiccated tailings was tracked using tensiometers installed in the bottom layer. Preliminary results indicate that the yield stress can substantially increase while the tailings are still flowing by both settling and capillary action into underlying desiccated tailings.

References:
Cousset, P. and Proust, S. (1996) Slow, unconfined spreading of a mudflow, Journal of Geophysical Research,
Vol. 101(B11), pp. 217–229.
Engman, M., Sellgren, A., Sundquist, A., Wennberg, T. and Goldkuhl, I. (2004) Users perspectives on the design of
high density base metal tailings handling systems, In Proceedings Eleventh Tailings and Mine Waste
Conference, Colorado, USA, pp. 45–54.
Fisseha, B., Bryan, R. and Simms, P. (2009) Evaporation, unsaturated flow, and oxidation in multilayer deposits of a
gold paste tailings, In Proceedings 12th International Seminar on Paste and Thickened Tailings, Australian
Centre for Geomechanics, pp. 251–260.
Fitton, T.G., Bhattacharya, S.N. and Chryss, A.G. (2008) Three-dimensional modeling of tailings beach shape,
Computer-aided Civil and Infrastructure engineering, Vol. 23, pp. 31–44.
Henriquez, J. and Simms, P. (2009) Dynamic imaging and modeling of multilayer deposition of gold paste tailings,
Minerals Engineering, Vol. 22(2), pp. 128–139.
Liu, K.F. and Mei, C.C. (1989) Approximate equations for the slow spreading of a thin sheet of Bingham plastic fluid,
Physics of Fluids A (Fluid Dynamics), Vol. 2(1), pp. 30–36.
Kwak, M., James, D.F. and Klein, K.A. (2005) Flow behavior of tailing paste for surface disposal, Journal of Mineral
Processing, Vol. 77(3), pp. 139–153.
McPhail, G. (1995) Prediction of the beaching characteristics of hydraulically placed tailings, PhD Dissertation
submitted to the University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa.
Oxenford, J. and Lord, E.R. (2006) Canadian Experience in the application of paste and thickened tailings for surface
disposal, In Proceedings Ninth International Seminar on Paste and Thickened Tailings, Australian Centre for
Geomechanics, Perth, Australia, pp. 93–105.
Pirouz, B. and Williams, M.P.A. (2007) Prediction of non-segregating thickened tailings beach slopes – a new method,
In Proceedings Tenth International Seminar on Paste and Thickened Tailings, Australian Centre for
Geomechanics, Perth, Australia, pp. 315–327.
Palshias, N., Boger, D.V., Summrs, J. and Glenister, D.J. (1996) A fifty cent rheometer for yield stress measurement,
Journal of Rheology, Vol. 40(6), pp. 1179–1189.
Shuttleworth, J.A., Thomson, B.J. and Wates, J.A. (2005) Surface paste disposal at Bulyanhulu – practical lessons
learned, In Proceedings Sixth International Conference on Paste and Thickened tailings, Australian Centre for
Geomechanics, Perth, Australia, pp. 207–218.
Simms, P. (2007) On the relation between laboratory flume tests and deposition angles of high density tailings, In
Proceedings 10th International Seminar on Paste and Thickened Tailings, Australia Centre for Geomechanics,
Perth, Australia, pp. 329–335.
Simms, P., Grabinsky, M. and Zhan, G. (2007) Modeling evaporation of thickened tailings from the Bulyanhulu mine,
Can. Geotech. J., Vol. 44, pp. 1417–1432.
Yuhi, M. and Mei, C.C. (2004) Slow spreading of fluid mud over a conical surface, Journal of Fluid mechanics,
Vol. 519(25), pp. 337–358.




© Copyright 2024, Australian Centre for Geomechanics (ACG), The University of Western Australia. All rights reserved.
View copyright/legal information
Please direct any queries or error reports to repository-acg@uwa.edu.au