Use of cement to reduce erosion of the slopes of mine tailings dams

摘要

Erosion on the slopes of mine tailings represents one of the most importantudenvironmental problems arising from the disposal of mine tailings. Tailings damuderosion is the main source of pollution that contaminates agricultural land andudstreams around mining areas. There is an urgent need to reduce erosion of the slopesudof mine tailings in-order to limit further devastation of natural ecology. The presentudstudy investigates the possible use of cement to reduce erosion of the slopes of mineudtailings dams. The pinhole erosion test was used to measure erodibility of tailingsudstabilized with cement. The strength properties of cement-stabilized tailings haveudbeen evaluated by the unconfined compression test. Conbex and ordinary Portlandudcement have been used for tailings stabilization, with contents of 0, 3, 5, 7, and 10%udby mass.udIt has been established that cement can be used to reduce erosion of the slopes ofudmine tailings dams. At least 3% by mass cement is required to produce zero erosionudloss. The resistance of tailings to erosion can be enhanced by increasing compactionuddensity, curing period and cement content. Ordinary Portland cement produced higherudstrengths and erosion resistance than Conbex, although Conbex may be useful forudstabilizing fine tailings. Cement-stabilized tailings could be used to make bricks andudrubble for use in reducing erosion of the slopes of mine tailings dams. As little asud10% of cement is necessary to produce unconfined compressive strengths of 1600-ud2600 kPa.