Consolidation of Cannington mine tailing at its liquid limit

Mining activities need to be taking place for the economic survival of countries. Mine tailings, which are the residue of mining activities, need to be disposed of carefully to reduce their environmental impact. Millions of tonnes of mine tailings are disposed every year in Australia through underground mines and surface tailing dams. It is generally not possible to dispose all the tailings underground, due to the space limitations, therefore the remainder is sent to the surface. For ease of transport over long distance, these tailings are often placed in the form of slurry with initial solid content of 20 to 40%. To simulate the field condition the tailing slurry is placed in the settlement columns to settle by its own weight. Then a sample is taken for conventional one-dimensional oedometer consolidation from the base of the column to investigate the consolidation behaviour of the deepest sediments after self-weight consolidation has completed. The moisture content of area at which the sample for oedometer is taken, is determined to be 21% which is the liquid limit of the tailing. It can be concluded that self-weight consolidation of the tailing finished at its liquid limit and application of surcharge is required for further consolidation. Study on the consolidation parameters of the tailing with this moisture content suggests large coefficient of consolidations with each loading increments. Consolidation of Cannington mine tailing (PDF Download Available). Available from: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/289893721_Consolidation_of_Cannington_mine_tailing [accessed Jun 30, 2017].