Technical and economic assessment of dry stack tailings alternatives for an iron ore project: a case study

Authors: de Guzman, J; Neumann, R Download Paper Open access courtesy of:

DOI https://doi.org/10.36487/ACG_repo/2355_29

Cite As:
de Guzman, J & Neumann, R 2023, 'Technical and economic assessment of dry stack tailings alternatives for an iron ore project: a case study', 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. 386-402, https://doi.org/10.36487/ACG_repo/2355_29



Abstract:
With a combination of highly publicised tailings dam failures and acute water shortages in some locations around the world, mining projects are facing more stringent requirements relating to safety, sustainability and environmental acceptance. This paper focuses on a conceptual study related to a dry stack tailings (DST) project for an iron ore operation in North America. The study consisted of two parts: firstly, the effect material properties have on the process selection and deposition of the tailings, and secondly, the dewatering, transport and stacking alternatives (taking into account the topography of the permitted tailings storage located in a mountainous area). The case study also included the overall investment and operating cost estimation for the storage of approximately 70 Mt of tailings over a period of nine years. The paper describes, step by step, evaluation of the key input parameters, the development of a time usage model in connection with the selected operating schemes, and the equipment required for the processing, transport and stacking of the tailings.

Keywords: material testing, operating scheme options, time usage model, equipment selection and sizing

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