Producing paste from all materials

Authors: Revell, MB Download Paper

DOI https://doi.org/10.36487/ACG_rep/1404_16_Revell

Cite As:
Revell, MB 2014, 'Producing paste from all materials', in Y Potvin & T Grice (eds), Mine Fill 2014: Proceedings of the Eleventh International Symposium on Mining with Backfill, Australian Centre for Geomechanics, Perth, pp. 217-230, https://doi.org/10.36487/ACG_rep/1404_16_Revell



Abstract:
Paste fill continues to become a more popular filling method as orebodies become deeper and higher extraction ratios are desired. As it becomes more popular, the range of material used to produce paste fill continues to grow. As a result, the design challenges in constructing plants using this variable material become increasingly difficult. This paper presents a series of different paste fill system designs that have been implemented over the past five years primarily in Australia. The systems include the latest designs in producing paste fill from ‘wet’ tailings, to using both easy and difficult to handle reclaimed tailings from tailings storage facilities to a fully mobile system producing paste from alluvial clays and aggregates. The design philosophies are discussed along with the innovative techniques used to suit the materials available. Subsequently the successes and challenges of each of the operations are discussed and the resulting changes that will be adopted for the next generation of paste plants.