What is Mine Tailings?
Mine tailings are the waste materials left over after the extraction of desired minerals from an ore. Tailings can consist of a variety of materials, including ground-up rock, chemicals, and metals, and may also contain small amounts of valuable minerals that were not recovered during the mining process.
Tailings are typically stored in large impoundments or dams, where they can pose environmental and safety risks if not properly managed.
They may contain heavy metals, such as lead, arsenic, and mercury, as well as other toxic substances that can leach into the soil and water if the containment system fails.
The management of mine tailings is an important consideration for the mining industry, and many companies have implemented measures to minimize the environmental impact of tailings.
These measures can include using new technologies to extract more minerals from the ore, improving tailings storage and containment systems, and undertaking regular monitoring and environmental assessments.
What are the fundamental parameters governing Mine tailings
The fundamental parameters that govern mine tailings depend on various factors such as the type of ore being mined, the extraction process used, and the characteristics of the waste materials generated. Some of the key parameters that can influence the behavior and properties of mine tailings include:
Particle size distribution: The size distribution of tailings particles can affect their settling behavior and the way they interact with water and other materials.
Mineralogy and geochemistry: The mineralogy and geochemistry of the ore can influence the chemical and physical properties of the tailings, including their potential to generate acid mine drainage (AMD) and leach heavy metals.
Water content: The water content of the tailings can affect their stability, strength, and hydraulic properties.
Density and porosity: The density and porosity of the tailings can affect their stability and the way they interact with water and other materials.
Compaction and consolidation: The compaction and consolidation of tailings can influence their strength, permeability, and deformation behavior.
Containment and storage: The containment and storage system used for tailings can affect their long-term stability and potential for environmental impact.
Climate and weather: The climate and weather conditions in the region where the tailings are stored can affect their behavior and the potential for erosion or other types of environmental damage.
Regulatory requirements: The regulatory requirements and standards that apply to tailings management can influence the design and operation of tailings storage and containment systems.
Fundamental Parameter: Shear Strength
Shear strength is an important fundamental parameter that governs the behavior and stability of mine tailings. It is a measure of the resistance of a material to sliding or deformation along a plane or shear surface.
The shear strength of mine tailings can depend on a variety of factors, including the particle size distribution, mineralogy, and compaction characteristics of the tailings.
Generally, tailings with a higher percentage of fine particles and lower degree of compaction tend to have lower shear strength.
The shear strength of tailings can be influenced by various factors such as pore water pressure, confining pressure, and the presence of chemical additives.
The presence of water in tailings can reduce their shear strength, as it increases pore water pressure and reduces the interparticle friction. Chemical additives can be used to increase the shear strength of tailings by altering their mineralogy or surface properties.
The shear strength of tailings is an important parameter for the design and stability analysis of tailings storage facilities. It is often used to determine the maximum slope angle that can be safely used for a tailings dam, as well as to evaluate the potential for liquefaction or other types of failure under different loading conditions.
Proper management of tailings, including the control of water content, compaction, and use of chemical additives, can help to ensure adequate shear strength and reduce the potential for environmental damage or safety risks.
Fundamental Parameter: Gradings
Particle size distribution, also known as gradation, is a fundamental parameter that governs the behavior of mine tailings.
The gradation of tailings refers to the distribution of particle sizes within the material.
The gradation of tailings can affect their behavior and properties in various ways, such as their permeability, compaction, settling rate, and strength.
Generally, tailings with a higher percentage of fine particles have a lower permeability and a greater potential for compaction, while tailings with a higher percentage of coarse particles tend to have a higher permeability and a lower potential for compaction.
The gradation of tailings can also affect their settling behavior, which is important for the design and operation of tailings storage facilities. Tailings with a broad particle size distribution tend to settle more slowly, which can increase the risk of overflow or breach of the containment system.
The gradation of tailings can be controlled through various methods such as screening, cycloning, and thickening. By controlling the gradation of tailings, it is possible to improve their behavior and properties, reduce the risk of environmental damage or safety risks, and optimize the design and operation of tailings storage facilities.
Fundamental Parameter: Phase Definition
Phase definition is a fundamental parameter that governs the behavior and properties of mine tailings. It refers to the definition of the different phases or components that make up the tailings material.
In general, mine tailings can be divided into three phases: solid, liquid, and gas. The solid phase is made up of the mineral particles that remain after the ore has been processed.
The liquid phase consists of water, which may be added during the processing of the ore or may be present naturally. The gas phase may consist of air or other gases that are present within the tailings material.
The phase definition of mine tailings is important because it can affect their behavior and properties. For example, the presence of a liquid phase can affect the hydraulic conductivity and permeability of the tailings, as well as their potential for generating acid mine drainage (AMD).
The solid phase can affect the strength and deformation behavior of the tailings, as well as their potential for compaction and settling. The gas phase can affect the pore pressure and compressibility of the tailings, which can have implications for their stability.
The phase definition of mine tailings can be controlled through various methods such as dewatering, consolidation, and compaction. By controlling the phase definition of tailings, it is possible to optimize their behavior and properties, reduce the risk of environmental damage or safety risks, and improve the design and operation of tailings storage facilities.
Fundamental Parameter: Slurry Density
Slurry density is a fundamental parameter that governs the behavior and properties of mine tailings. It refers to the mass of tailings solids per unit volume of liquid in a slurry. Slurry density can be controlled by adjusting the amount of water added to the tailings during the processing of the ore.
The slurry density of mine tailings can affect their behavior and properties in various ways. For example, tailings with a higher slurry density can have a higher settling rate, which can reduce the risk of overflow or breach of the containment system in a tailings storage facility.
However, tailings with a higher slurry density can also be more difficult to pump and transport, which can increase operational costs.
The slurry density of mine tailings can also affect their strength and deformation behavior.
Tailings with a higher slurry density tend to have a higher strength and stiffness, which can improve their stability and reduce the risk of liquefaction or other types of failure. However, tailings with a higher slurry density can also have a lower porosity, which can reduce their ability to absorb and dissipate pore water pressure.
The slurry density of mine tailings is an important parameter for the design and operation of tailings storage facilities. It can be controlled by adjusting the amount of water added to the tailings during the processing of the ore.
Proper management of slurry density can help to optimize the behavior and properties of tailings, reduce the risk of environmental damage or safety risks, and improve the design and operation of tailings storage facilities.
Fundamental Parameter: Slurry Settlement and beaching
Slurry settlement and beaching are fundamental parameters that govern the behavior and properties of mine tailings. Slurry settlement refers to the settling of tailings particles in a slurry over time, while beaching refers to the deposition of tailings solids at the edge of a containment facility.
The settlement behavior of tailings can affect the stability and safety of a tailings storage facility. If the settling rate is too high, it can lead to a buildup of pressure within the containment system, which can increase the risk of overflow or breach. On the other hand, if the settling rate is too low, it can result in a buildup of tailings solids in the slurry, which can reduce the storage capacity of the containment system.
The beaching behavior of tailings is also important for the design and operation of a tailings storage facility. If tailings solids are deposited at the edge of the containment facility, it can reduce the storage capacity of the facility and increase the risk of environmental damage or safety risks.
Proper management of beaching behavior can help to optimize the storage capacity of the facility and reduce the risk of environmental damage or safety risks.
The settlement and beaching behavior of tailings can be controlled through various methods such as thickening, dewatering, and compaction.
By controlling the settlement and beaching behavior of tailings, it is possible to optimize the behavior and properties of tailings, reduce the risk of environmental damage or safety risks, and improve the design and operation of tailings storage facilities.
Fundamental Parameter: Permeability
Permeability is a fundamental parameter that governs the behavior and properties of mine tailings. It refers to the ability of a material to allow fluids to pass through it. In the case of mine tailings, permeability refers to the ability of the tailings to allow water to flow through them.
Permeability is an important parameter for the design and operation of tailings storage facilities because it affects the rate at which water can penetrate the containment system.
If the permeability of the tailings is too high, water can penetrate the containment system quickly, increasing the risk of environmental damage or safety risks. On the other hand, if the permeability is too low, it can result in a buildup of pore water pressure within the containment system, which can also increase the risk of environmental damage or safety risks.
The permeability of mine tailings can be controlled through various methods such as compaction, consolidation, and placement geometry. Compaction and consolidation can help to reduce the pore spaces within the tailings, which can decrease their permeability.
Placement geometry can also affect the permeability of the tailings by controlling the orientation of the tailings particles and their packing arrangement.
Proper management of permeability can help to optimize the behavior and properties of tailings, reduce the risk of environmental damage or safety risks, and improve the design and operation of tailings storage facilities. Therefore, it is important to measure and monitor the permeability of mine tailings and take appropriate measures to manage it.
Fundamental Parameter: Consolidation
Consolidation is a fundamental parameter that governs the behavior and properties of mine tailings. Consolidation refers to the process of reducing the volume of a material over time due to the expulsion of pore water. In the case of mine tailings, consolidation refers to the process of reducing the volume of the tailings over time due to the expulsion of pore water under the influence of external loads.
Consolidation is an important parameter for the design and operation of tailings storage facilities because it affects the stability and safety of the containment system. If the tailings continue to consolidate after being placed in the containment system, it can result in a buildup of pore water pressure, which can increase the risk of environmental damage or safety risks. On the other hand, if consolidation is not allowed to occur, it can result in a lack of compaction and stability of the tailings.
The consolidation behavior of mine tailings can be controlled through various methods such as compaction, dewatering, and placement geometry. Compaction and dewatering can help to reduce the pore spaces within the tailings, which can decrease their volume and increase their stability.
Placement geometry can also affect the consolidation behavior of the tailings by controlling the orientation of the tailings particles and their packing arrangement.
Proper management of consolidation can help to optimize the behavior and properties of tailings, reduce the risk of environmental damage or safety risks, and improve the design and operation of tailings storage facilities. Therefore, it is important to measure and monitor the consolidation behavior of mine tailings and take appropriate measures to manage it.
Fundamental Parameter: Shear stress
Shear stress is a fundamental parameter that governs the behavior and properties of mine tailings. Shear stress refers to the force per unit area that is applied parallel to a surface, causing deformation or slipping of the material along the surface. In the case of mine tailings, shear stress refers to the resistance of the tailings to deformation or slipping under an applied force.
Shear stress is an important parameter for the design and operation of tailings storage facilities because it affects the stability and safety of the containment system. If the shear stress of the tailings is too low, it can result in a lack of stability and increase the risk of slope failure or other safety risks.
On the other hand, if the shear stress of the tailings is too high, it can result in excessive deformation or failure of the tailings.
The shear stress behavior of mine tailings can be controlled through various methods such as compaction, consolidation, and placement geometry.
Compaction and consolidation can help to increase the strength and resistance of the tailings to deformation or slipping. Placement geometry can also affect the shear stress behavior of the tailings by controlling the orientation of the tailings particles and their packing arrangement.
Proper management of shear stress can help to optimize the behavior and properties of tailings, reduce the risk of environmental damage or safety risks, and improve the design and operation of tailings storage facilities. Therefore, it is important to measure and monitor the shear stress behavior of mine tailings and take appropriate measures to manage it.
Fundamental Parameter: Effective Stress
Effective stress is a fundamental parameter that governs the behavior and properties of mine tailings. It refers to the stress that is carried by the solid skeleton of a material and is related to the interparticle forces between the soil grains.
In the case of mine tailings, effective stress refers to the stress carried by the tailings particles themselves, and not the pore water.
Effective stress is an important parameter for the design and operation of tailings storage facilities because it affects the stability and safety of the containment system. If the effective stress of the tailings is too low, it can result in a lack of stability and increase the risk of slope failure or other safety risks.
On the other hand, if the effective stress of the tailings is too high, it can result in excessive deformation or failure of the tailings.
The effective stress behavior of mine tailings can be controlled through various methods such as compaction, consolidation, and placement geometry.
Compaction and consolidation can help to increase the effective stress of the tailings by reducing the pore spaces and increasing the contact forces between the tailings particles.
Placement geometry can also affect the effective stress behavior of the tailings by controlling the orientation of the tailings particles and their packing arrangement.
Proper management of effective stress can help to optimize the behavior and properties of tailings, reduce the risk of environmental damage or safety risks, and improve the design and operation of tailings storage facilities. Therefore, it is important to measure and monitor the effective stress behavior of mine tailings and take appropriate measures to manage it.
Fundamental Parameter: Stability
Stability is a fundamental parameter that governs the behavior and properties of mine tailings. Stability refers to the ability of the tailings to resist deformation or failure under the influence of external loads, such as gravity or water pressure.
Stability is a critical parameter for the design and operation of tailings storage facilities because it directly affects the safety of the containment system. If the tailings are not stable, they can experience slope failure, leading to environmental damage or safety risks.
The stability of mine tailings can be affected by various factors such as particle size distribution, placement geometry, and the moisture content of the tailings. The use of proper compaction and consolidation methods can help to increase the stability of the tailings.
Placement geometry can also play a significant role in maintaining tailings stability by controlling the slope angle and the location of the tailings.
Proper management of stability is essential for optimizing the behavior and properties of tailings, reducing the risk of environmental damage or safety risks, and improving the design and operation of tailings storage facilities. Therefore, it is important to measure and monitor the stability behavior of mine tailings and take appropriate measures to manage it.
Fundamental Parameter: Mineralogy and Geochemistry
Mineralogy and geochemistry are fundamental parameters that govern the behavior and properties of mine tailings. They refer to the composition and properties of the minerals and chemicals present in the tailings.
Mineralogy and geochemistry are important parameters for the design and operation of tailings storage facilities because they affect the potential for environmental impact and long-term stability of the containment system.
The mineralogy of the tailings can affect the behavior of the tailings by influencing factors such as permeability, shear strength, and consolidation.
The geochemistry of the tailings is also an important parameter, as it can influence the potential for acid rock drainage (ARD) and metal leaching. ARD occurs when sulfide minerals in the tailings are exposed to air and water, causing the formation of sulfuric acid and leaching of heavy metals into the surrounding environment.
Proper management of the geochemistry of the tailings can help to minimize the potential for ARD and metal leaching, reducing the risk of environmental damage.
Proper management of mineralogy and geochemistry is critical for optimizing the behavior and properties of tailings, reducing the risk of environmental damage or safety risks, and improving the design and operation of tailings storage facilities.
Therefore, it is important to analyze and monitor the mineralogy and geochemistry of mine tailings and take appropriate measures to manage them.
Fundamental Parameter: Climate and Weather
Climate and weather are fundamental parameters that can have significant impacts on the behavior and properties of mine tailings. They refer to the long-term and short-term atmospheric conditions that can affect the tailings and the containment system.
Climate can affect the behavior of mine tailings by influencing factors such as erosion, sediment transport, and water balance. For example, high precipitation rates can increase the water content of the tailings and increase the potential for erosion and sediment transport.
Similarly, hot and dry climates can increase the potential for dust generation and reduce the water availability for tailings management activities.
Weather can also affect the behavior of mine tailings in the short term. Heavy rainfall, for example, can cause overtopping of tailings containment systems and increase the potential for environmental damage.
High winds can cause dust generation and lead to safety risks for workers and nearby communities.
Proper management of climate and weather is critical for optimizing the behavior and properties of mine tailings, reducing the risk of environmental damage or safety risks, and improving the design and operation of tailings storage facilities.
Therefore, it is important to monitor climate and weather conditions and take appropriate measures to manage the behavior and properties of mine tailings accordingly.
This may involve implementing measures such as increased monitoring and surveillance during periods of high precipitation, dust suppression techniques during periods of high winds, or adjusting tailings management practices based on seasonal weather patterns.
Fundamental Parameter: Regulatory Requirements
Regulatory requirements are fundamental parameters that govern the behavior and properties of mine tailings. These refer to the legal and regulatory frameworks that govern the design, operation, and closure of tailings storage facilities.
Regulatory requirements are critical for ensuring the safety and environmental sustainability of tailings storage facilities. They help to establish minimum standards for tailings management practices and ensure compliance with local, national, and international regulations.
These requirements often include measures such as regular monitoring and reporting of tailings properties and behavior, as well as contingency plans for emergency situations.
Proper management of regulatory requirements is essential for optimizing the behavior and properties of mine tailings, reducing the risk of environmental damage or safety risks, and improving the design and operation of tailings storage facilities.
Therefore, it is important to understand and comply with applicable regulatory requirements and to work closely with regulatory agencies to ensure that tailings management practices are safe and environmentally sustainable.
Mine tailings are the waste materials that remain after the extraction of valuable minerals from ores. They are typically composed of finely ground rock particles, chemicals used in the extraction process, and water. What are mine tailings? Mine tailings are the waste materials produced during the mining process. They can contain a variety of toxic chemicals and heavy metals, such as lead, mercury, and arsenic, which can leach into the environment and pose a significant threat to human health and the ecosystem. Where are mine tailings located? Mine tailings are usually stored in large impoundments or tailings ponds, which are often located near the mining site. These impoundments are designed to hold the waste materials and prevent them from leaching into the environment. However, accidents and breaches can occur, resulting in the release of tailings into nearby rivers, lakes, and groundwater. How are mine tailings managed? Mine tailings are typically managed through a combination of engineering controls and environmental monitoring. The impoundments are designed to minimize the risk of breaches and leaks, and monitoring systems are put in place to detect any potential environmental impacts. In some cases, mine tailings are also treated to remove any toxic chemicals or heavy metals before they are stored or released into the environment. However, the management of mine tailings is a complex and ongoing challenge, as they can remain toxic for decades or even centuries. Additionally, the risk of accidents and breaches highlights the need for better waste management practices in the mining industry.
What are tailings?
Mine site overview
What is a TSF?
What are the key issues?
Consideration for design
Typical design stages
Tailings disposal technology
Dam types
Water mangement
Analysis and design
Construction
Operation
Closure
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