Gold mining operations generate different types of tailings which are influenced by the mineralogy and recovery process employed. During the feasibility study is common to perform the metallurgical testwork program on three or four master composites. The tailings produces by these composites are used to determine the tailings properties for the life of mine. Even, if the mine plan considers different ore bodies to be mined, the requirements of construction may be based on this variability.
Basically, in order to get the design parameters the followings parameters or properties of the material must be obtained: metallic content, sulphur content, particle size distribution, acid rock drainage generation, rheological properties (i.e. viscosity, shear stress, yield stress, compression), rate settling, outer layer formation, and effect of pH on transport velocity and settling.
The properties mentioned above are the key aspect to be studied at the moment of selecting any disposal system. Then, the testing program must include an item referred to tailing study so that all contingencies can be analyzed.
Tailings Discharge