Application of rheology to solving tailings disposal problems

Abstract

This paper is an overview of a research program conducted at the University of Melbourne on mineral tailings handling, dewatering and pipeline transport. Two case studies are described where measurement and use of rheological properties have assisted in solving large-scale tailings disposal problems in the Australian mining and mineral industry. The first example deals with the alumina industry where techniques have been developed for characterising the complex flow behaviour of concentrated bauxite tailings (red mud), and knowledge gained has been successfully applied to the development and optimization of a semi-dry disposal system by Alcoa of Australia in Western Australia. In the second example, taken from the coal industry, the techniques developed for red mud have been used to examine the rheology of clay-based coal tailings from the Hunter Valley in New South Wales in order to assess the feasibility of dewatering and pipeline transportation of the tailings to disposal.