Self-weight consolidation of mixtures of mine waste rock and tailings

2005 ◽  
Vol 42 (2) ◽  
pp. 327-339 ◽  
Author(s):  
Benjamin E Wickland ◽  
G Ward Wilson
Keyword(s):  
Hydraulic Conductivity ◽  
Pore Water Pressure ◽  
Mine Waste ◽  
Water Pressure ◽  
High Strength ◽  
Dry Mass ◽  
Waste Rock ◽  
Long Term Stability ◽  
Mine Waste Rock ◽  
Fourth Column

Mixtures of waste rock and tailings are compared with unmixed waste rock and tailings in a column study of self weight consolidation. Standard practice for surface mine waste disposal produces the two individual waste streams of waste rock and tailings. Waste rock dumps offer high strength and low compressibility characteristics but are prone to oxidation and metal leaching because of their high permeability and unsaturated conditions. Tailings deposits typically have low permeability and slow time rate consolidation properties but also have end land use issues and long term stability problems related to shear strength. Three mixtures of waste rock and tailings were loaded into columns and monitored for settlement, drainage, and pore-water pressure response for 100 days. A fourth column was built with waste rock only as a control. Mixtures with approximately 5:1 waste rock to tailings by dry mass were found to have a hydraulic conductivity similar to tailings alone and total settlements similar to waste rock alone. Mixture materials also remained saturated during the 100 day test. Results indicate that mixing waste rock and tailings for disposal is a promising idea that may help eliminate problems arising from current practices in mine waste disposal.Key words: co-disposal, hydraulic conductivity, self weight consolidation, tailings, waste rock.

Hydraulic conductivity and consolidation response of mixtures of mine waste rock and tailings

2010 ◽  
Vol 47 (4) ◽  
pp. 472-485 ◽  
Author(s):  
Benjamin E. Wickland ◽  
G. Ward Wilson ◽  
Dharma Wijewickreme
Keyword(s):  
Hydraulic Conductivity ◽  
Acid Rock Drainage ◽  
Mine Waste ◽  
Waste Rock ◽  
Column Studies ◽  
Acid Rock ◽  
One Dimensional ◽  
Specimen Diameter ◽  
Dense Deposits ◽  
Mine Waste Rock

Hydraulic conductivity and consolidation behaviour are examined for an alternative mine waste disposal technique. One type of waste rock, one type of tailings, and mixtures of the same waste rock and tailings were tested in bench-scale and column studies. Specimens 150 mm in diameter were tested for hydraulic conductivity by falling-head method alternated with one-dimensional consolidation, specimens 300 mm in diameter were tested for one-dimensional consolidation response, and specimens 1 m in diameter were tested for self-weight consolidation behaviour in 6 m high columns. Deformation of mixtures under one-dimensional loading was similar to that of waste rock alone and much less than that of tailings alone. Hydraulic conductivity of mixtures was similar to that of tailings alone and independent of specimen diameter. Mixture behaviour was attributed to a homogeneous structure including waste rock in particle-to-particle contact and a continuous, saturated matrix of tailings. The results indicate that mixing waste rock and tailings can produce dense deposits with values of hydraulic conductivity that are orders of magnitude lower than those of waste rock alone, thereby limiting fluxes through the waste and the associated potential for acid rock drainage. Mixture deposits will also have less consolidation-related settlement than tailings, thus improving stability and aiding reclamation.

scholarly journals Revaluing mine waste rock for carbon capture and storage

2010 ◽  
Vol 24 (1) ◽  
pp. 64-79 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael Hitch ◽  
Sheila M. Ballantyne ◽  
Sarah R. Hindle
Keyword(s):  
Carbon Capture ◽  
Mine Waste ◽  
Carbon Capture And Storage ◽  
Waste Rock ◽  
Mine Waste Rock ◽  
And Storage

Combined DC resistivity and induced polarization (DC-IP) for mapping the internal composition of a mine waste rock pile in Nova Scotia, Canada

2018 ◽  
Vol 150 ◽  
pp. 40-51 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christopher Power ◽  
Panagiotis Tsourlos ◽  
Murugan Ramasamy ◽  
Aristeidis Nivorlis ◽  
Martin Mkandawire
Keyword(s):  
Nova Scotia ◽  
Mine Waste ◽  
Induced Polarization ◽  
Waste Rock ◽  
Dc Resistivity ◽  
Rock Pile ◽  
Waste Rock Pile ◽  
Mine Waste Rock

scholarly journals Platinum Mine Workers’ Exposure to Dust Particles Emitted at Mine Waste Rock Crusher Plants in Limpopo, South Africa

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (2) ◽  
pp. 655
Author(s):  
Maasago M. Sepadi ◽  
Martha Chadyiwa ◽  
Vusumuzi Nkosi
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Mine Waste ◽  
Waste Rock ◽  
Dust Exposure ◽  
Dust Particles ◽  
Hazardous Substance ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Mine Waste Rock ◽  
Rock Crusher ◽  
Mine Workers

The South African mining industry is one of the largest producers of platinum (Pt) in the world. Workers in this industry are exposed to significant amounts of dust, and this dust consists of particles sizes that can penetrate deep inside the respiratory region. A cross-sectional study was conducted to evaluate dust exposure risk at two Pt mine waste rock crusher plants (Facility A and B) in Limpopo, South Africa. Workers’ demographic and occupational information was collected through a structured questionnaire, a walk-through observation on facilities’ processes, and static dust sampling for the collection of inhalable and respirable dust particles using the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOH) 7602 and the Methods for Determination of Hazardous Substance (MDHS) 14/4 as guidelines. Only 79% of Pt mine workers, used their respiratory protective equipment (RPE), sixty-five percent were exposed to work shifts exceeding the recommended eight hours and 8.8% had been employed for more than ten years. The mean time-weighted average (TWA) dust concentrations between Facility A and B showed a significant difference (p < 0.026). The Pt mine’s inhalable concentrations (range 0.03–2.2 mg/m3) were higher than the respirable concentrations (range 0.02–0.7 mg/m3), however were all below the respective international and local occupational exposure limits (OELs). The Pt mine’s respirable crystalline silica (SiO2) quartz levels were all found below the detectable limit (<0.01 mg/m3). The Pt miners had increased health risks due to accumulated low levels of dust exposure and lack of usage of RPE. It is recommended that an improved dust control program be put in place which includes, but is not limited to, stockpile enclosures, tire stops with water sprays, and education on the importance of RPE usage.

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