Co-Disposal Plant and Distribution System to Allow the Proper Closure of Exxaro’s Hillendale Mine Site

Authors: Rusconi, JM; Goosen, P; Venter, J Download Paper

DOI https://doi.org/10.36487/ACG_repo/963_41

Cite As:
Rusconi, JM, Goosen, P & Venter, J 2009, 'Co-Disposal Plant and Distribution System to Allow the Proper Closure of Exxaro’s Hillendale Mine Site', in R Jewell, AB Fourie, S Barrera & J Wiertz (eds), Paste 2009: Proceedings of the Twelfth International Seminar on Paste and Thickened Tailings, Australian Centre for Geomechanics, Perth, pp. 375-382, https://doi.org/10.36487/ACG_repo/963_41



Abstract:
The run of mine ore from the Exxaro Hillendale Heavy Minerals operation contains distinct fine and coarse fractions. The fine fraction consists mainly of clay and is referred to as slimes. The coarse fraction consists mainly of sand. These are separated during the mineral recovery process. Traditionally these have been disposed of separately, either by refilling mining voids or in a tailings dam. However, in order to ensure that the land is returned to an arable state, the clay and sand need to be remixed in the same proportion in which they occur in the ore body and placed in a sufficiently thick capping layer as part of the final rehabilitation process on the mine site. During 2007, Paterson & Cooke were asked to design a plant capable of distributing 400 tonnes per hour of this mixture. It is required to finely control the ratio of sand to clay and deposit it at a high enough yield stress to prevent segregation on placement. This paper is a case study of the design, construction and commissioning of the plant.

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