Tailings composition effects on shear strength behavior of co-mixed mine waste rock and tailings

Abstract

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of mine tailings composition on shear behavior and shear strength of co-mixed mine waste rock and tailings (WR&T). Crushed gravel was used as a synthetic waste rock and mixed with four types of tailings: (1) fine-grained garnet, (2) coarse-grained garnet, (3) copper, and (4) soda ash. Co-mixed WR&T specimens were prepared to target mixture ratios of mass of waste rock to mass of tailings (R) such that tailings “just filled” interparticle void space of the waste rock (i.e., optimum mixture ratio, R opt). Triaxial compression tests were conducted on waste rock, tailings, and mixed waste at effective confining stresses ( $$\sigma_{\text{c}}^{{\prime }}$$ ) ranging from 5 to 40 kPa to represent stresses anticipated in final earthen covers for waste containment facilities. Waste rock and co-mixed WR&T specimens were 150 mm in diameter by 300 mm tall, whereas tailings specimens were 38 mm in diameter by 76 mm tall. Shear strength was quantified using effective stress friction angles (ϕ′) from undrained tests: ϕ′ for waste rock was 37°, ϕ′ for tailings ranged from 34° to 41°, and ϕ′ for WR&T mixtures ranged from 38° to 40°. Thus, shear strength of co-mixed WR&T was comparable to waste rock regardless of tailings composition. Shear behavior of WR&T mixtures was a function of R and tailings composition. Tailings influenced shear behavior for R < R opt and when tailings predominantly were silt. Shear behavior was influenced by waste rock for R ≥ R opt and when tailings predominantly were sand or included clay particles.