Polymer-modified tailings deposition - ongoing testing and potential storage efficiency opportunities

摘要

An emerging technology, known by various names such as in-line flocculation, polymer modified tailings deposition or more commercially as enhanced tailings disposal (ETD), is the subject of growing interest from mining operations. Business drivers for the mine tailings facility owners can include a variety of site-specific, material-dependant operational challenges, as well as more general desires to improve efficiency at tailings storage facilities (TSFs).Polymers can modify the behaviour of tailings in a variety of ways; one of these is through rheological adjustment. This can often result in a steepened beach which, with careful design and use of natural or man-made landforms, can result in the potential for significant reduction in the volume of initial embankment construction material. These opportunities are the subject of a number of ongoing large-scale operational trials that are likely to become the topic of future papers.Other material behavioural changes are inextricably linked with the technology. These include reduced segregation, improved water release, less long-term settlement, and improving permeability and subsequent consolidation behaviour. Thorough understanding of these improvements can allow for appropriate design and operational management, which can then allow the operator leverage to improve long-term operational performance.