Practical solutions for mine tailings and water - part 1

Introducing a series of webinars on practical solutions for mine tailings and water. This first webinar out of two will discuss how to improve the current thickener operation. With a view to some of the recent changes in tailings what are the implications to thickener operation. In the extreme like some operators in Brazil the authorities have closed your dam and there will need to be a complete redesign of the tailing’s storage methodology. In practise there will be increased surveillance of the tailings management and the final storage volume may be reduced, indicating that the current system may need to be improved. The majority of sites operate their thickeners well trying to maintain a balance between water recovery, overflow clarity and flocculant consumption. Jason reviews the basics of thickener operation and then expands the concept to discuss the transport and deposition of thickened tailings. Understanding what factors effect tailings storage efficiency can help target changes to the current tailings storage and transport system. Controls and automation can significantly improve the performance of a thickener plant, keeping the outputs as close as possible to the design.