Justification of the hydro-mechanical systems operating modes, used for restoring accumulation capacity of tailings storages

Abstract

The paper describes the ways to extend the service life of tailings storage facilities by restoring their accumulation capacity. Analysis of the state-of-the-art experience in tailings management is provided. Restoring is carried out due to the following: storing of waste as paste-like slurry; raising embankment; intensifying wastewater treatment process in ponds by means of coagulation agents; selection of adequate alluviation maps mode; specifying parameters of surface and underwater alluvial beaches; implementing the separate storage of solid-phase fractions; preliminary pulp clarification in alluviation maps before supplying it to the pond. Due to the long length of the hydrotransport lines, the use of paste thickeners in the mining and processing plants of Kryvbas is impossible. These technologies are implemented at new storage facilities where waste is placed in the first tier. The aim of this study is to determine and substantiate parameters of hydro-mechanical systems during the operation of tailing facilities with temporary clarifiers. The study for the first time established relationship between the temporary pond operation time. There are such parameters as concentration and consumption of slurry, initial depth of the pond filling, barrier dam height and the length of alluvial front.