Monitoring of the surface disposal of an iron ore tailings slurry

Authors: de Oliveira Faria, A; Pinto, GHS; Junior, MPS; Miranda, TM

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DOI https://doi.org/10.36487/ACG_repo/2655_63

Cite As:
de Oliveira Faria, A, Pinto, GHS, Junior, MPS & Miranda, TM 2026, 'Monitoring of the surface disposal of an iron ore tailings slurry', in AB Fourie, M Horta, M Oliveira & S Wilson (eds), Paste 2026: Proceedings of the 28th International Conference on Paste, Thickened and Filtered Tailings, Australian Centre for Geomechanics, Perth, pp. 1-12, https://doi.org/10.36487/ACG_repo/2655_63

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Abstract:
The operation phase is one of the most important stages of a dam’s life cycle, during which the continuous monitoring of the tailings characteristics is of the utmost importance. The control of the solids content and the water balance can allow for expansion of the tailings facility over the life of mine, as well as the maintenance of a beach width that provides the reduction of the pore pressure in the embankment, resulting in the possibility to increase the Factor of Safety. Also, the monitoring of the tailings particle size distribution helps to evaluate impacts on tailings facility operation due to changes in the orebody and the beneficiation process. This paper presents a case study of the monitoring of an iron ore tailings surface disposal and its characteristics over time. Characterisation of the iron ore tailings slurry is presented in terms of particle size distribution curves, Atterberg limits, specific gravity of soil solids, and mineralogy. The surface disposal control is monitored in terms of reservoir filling comparing the surfaces obtained by topobathymetric surveys over time, using a colour map to help visualisation. The consolidated solids contents are evaluated measuring the mass of solids discharged in the reservoir and the consumed volume. A comparison with the initial solids content (disposal) is also presented. The results indicated that the tailings evaluated herein present a high fines content with low plasticity and a significant presence of iron. The surface disposal control showed the accumulation of tailings near the embankment, resulting in a beach formation, since the material was initially disposed at the dam crest. The disposed solids content increased over time with changes promoted in the ore processing.

Keywords: tailings disposal control, geotechnical characterisation, solids contents evaluation

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