The tailings dam at Potgietersrust Platinum Mine in the Republic of South Africa is a large ring dyke impoundment with a maximum storage volume of 55 million m~3. Tailings is pumped via a 250 NB steel pipeline from the minerals process plant at a rate of 265 000 tpm and the tailings is deposited via a hybrid depositional system. This involves spiggotting during the day from the outer wall into paddocks and depositing via spray bars off the paddock wall into the basin at night over the main drain. This method of operation is employed in order to ensure coarse material is deposited over the main drain area, and the day wal paddock system ensures adequate freeboard is maintained during discharge of the serpentinitic tailings which is exceptionally fine and gives rise to a very flat beach profile. The main features and development of the elevated blankey drain, the purpose and benefits of this drainage method and the effect of this drainage method on the tailings deposition cycle period are considered and discussed.
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