Abstract
The potential for acid rock drainage (ARD) control is examined with respect to the geotechnical properties of mixtures of mine waste rock and tailings. Waste rock, tailings, and mixtures of the same waste rock and tailings were examined for hydraulic conductivity and soil-water characteristic curves through laboratory testing and a meso-scale column study. Both tailings and mixtures had low values of hydraulic conductivity that limit the flow of water and therefore limit the rate of the ARD reaction and the transport of reaction products. Mixtures and tailings were found to have high Air Entry Values (AEV's) that inhibit the flow of air by maintaining water saturation. In comparison, waste rock was found to have a high value of hydraulic conductivity and a low AEV. The findings demonstrate that mixtures of waste rock and tailings are resistant to acid rock drainage relative to waste rock alone.
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