Thickener performance variability: underflow solids concentration and flowrate

Authors: Pirouz, B; Javadi, S; Seddon, K Download Paper

DOI https://doi.org/10.36487/ACG_rep/1752_04_Pirouz

Cite As:
Pirouz, B, Javadi, S & Seddon, K 2017, 'Thickener performance variability: underflow solids concentration and flowrate', in A Wu & R Jewell (eds), Paste 2017: Proceedings of the 20th International Seminar on Paste and Thickened Tailings, University of Science and Technology Beijing, Beijing, pp. 29-40, https://doi.org/10.36487/ACG_rep/1752_04_Pirouz



Abstract:
The operational fluctuations of tailings thickeners have the potential to cause significant impacts on the tailings transport system and the tailings deposition at a tailings storage facility (TSF). The statistical analysis of actual recorded data of underflow solids concentration and flowrate of different thickeners is presented in this paper. The collected data are from the operation of four different mines; one Zinc-lead, two Copper and one Gold mine. The variability in these two important parameters can be related to process fluctuations, design or construction defects including instrumentation and controls, the variability in mine orebody during the life of the project or operation of the thickener. The analysis of the data shows that the actual performance of the thickener can be significantly different from what is usually considered at the design stage. An example is presented to show the impacts of thickener performance variability on tailings transport system and thickened tailings beach slope quantitatively.

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