thickened tailings facilities are easier to rehabilitate . To a growing extent , thickened tailings are also used for underground mine backfill . This can increase productivity and reduce mine cycle times as well as surface TSF disposal volumes . Underground mining conditions can also be improved due to decreased water and slimes handling .
Important considerations and challenges When tailings are not properly managed , the results can be lethal . It is vital that mine operators have a clear understanding of key risks and considerations related to this process , in particular , tailings dewatering . Every mine site is different and subject to varying environmental , regulatory , capital and operating cost constraints .
Cost is a key consideration for many operators and can adversely affect the viability of a mine site . Therefore , it is necessary to implement a tailings management strategy which provides both reliability and value for money .
Environmental limitations are also a major factor when establishing a TSF . In parts of the world where there is challenging topography , such as mountainous regions or other environmentally sensitive landscapes , TSFs may need to be built further away from the process plant . This can result in slurry being transported across longer distances or higher elevations . Dewatering of tailings is a viable option in these scenarios as less slurry needs to be moved , in turn reducing operational costs .
Some operations produce highly diluted tailings which require extensive dewatering to reach the desired level of thickness . Other slurries may contain extremely fine particle solids , which can also be difficult to manage . Large mine sites or those with complex ore bodies can produce many different tailings waste slurries which may require varying methods of treatment . Across this multitude of situations , the operator must determine all associated costs and assess the level of dewatering required to confirm the most suitable solution for their site .
While some mines are in a position to increase the size of their TSFs , many are not and must implement a viable dewatering process which can involve significant capital expenditure .
If dewatering tailings to the highest possible degree , operators also need to develop a suitable strategy for transporting the waste material . Tailings which are too thick or dry to be pumped may need to be transported by either a conveyor system or truck .
Finally , when a mine site reaches the end of its life and moves into the decommissioning phase , TSFs must be dealt with in accordance with regulatory and legislative requirements . As many mine sites need to be rehabilitated and restored to a natural state , a key benefit of producing thickened tailings is its ability to be covered with overburden and re-planted with suitable vegetation .
WORK ANYWHERE , ANYTIME .
• One device for rugged data collection and communication
• Water / dust / shock / drop-proof ( IP68 )
• Microsoft ® Windows 10 or Android ® Operating System
• All-day battery life
• Applications available from Google Mobile Services
CONTACT US TODAY ! Juniper Systems Limited , U . K . | https :// junipersys . com | + 44 ( 0 ) 1527 870773 | infoEMEA @ junipersys . com
www . fmdrc-Zambia . com 17