A tailings beach slope model featuring plug flow

Fitton, Timothy; Slatter, Paul

doi:10.36487/acg_rep/1363_38_fitton

Cited by 5 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 6 publications

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“…Exploring the effect of flow shape assumption in a simple way, it is possible to analyze the basic equation for initial beach slope (S0) used by Fitton and Slatter (2013) eq. 2.…”

Section: Beach Slope Estimations -The Flow Shape Assumptionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Integrating Site Conditions, Rate of Rise and Deposition Sequence to Beach Slope Estimations for High Thickened Tailings

Errázuriz¹,

González²

2020

23rd International Conference on Paste, Thickened and Filtered Tailings - PASTE 2020

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The application of highly thickened tailings technologies is rapidly increasing due to the perceived benefits with respect to reduction of environmental impacts, water savings and potential reductions in dam size and footprint impoundment. Evaluation of this potential benefits requires that during early design stages an understanding is developed for the range of feasible beach slopes to be achieved during deposition. A comprehensive evaluation of the whole range of factors that influence the beach formation process is paramount to ensure that expected performance during design stages is met throughout operations. This paper presents an integral approach for beach slope estimation, considering a broader range of aspects affecting the beach formation process than those commonly used in current models (rheology and discharge rate of the deposited tailings). The additional aspects considered by this approach are site conditions (site morphology and climate), the rate of rise of the tailings impounded (the relationship between the tailings production rate and the available area for tailings spreading) and the deposition sequence (the configuration of the deposition system and its operation, e.g. thin layer deposition with drying cycles).The approach is supported by a beach slope model based on a dimensionless parameter for non-Newtonian flows, associated with sheet flows on an inclined plane, which directly relates to the tailings beach slope expected to be formed due to sub-aerial disposal. This dimensionless parameter provides a closed expression for estimating tailings beach slopes based on rheological properties and discharge rates, but with the integration of site conditions, rate of rise and deposition sequence.High thickened tailings management facility (TMF) design is well supported by this approach, providing key input as the configuration of the distribution system and the minimum area required to achieve expected performance with respect to desired beach slope, density, degree of saturation and strength.

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“…Exploring the effect of flow shape assumption in a simple way, it is possible to analyze the basic equation for initial beach slope (S0) used by Fitton and Slatter (2013) eq. 2.…”

Section: Beach Slope Estimations -The Flow Shape Assumptionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Integrating Site Conditions, Rate of Rise and Deposition Sequence to Beach Slope Estimations for High Thickened Tailings

Errázuriz¹,

González²

2020

23rd International Conference on Paste, Thickened and Filtered Tailings - PASTE 2020

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“…In reality, the ability to predict tailings beach slopes has improved significantly during the past 10 years, with numerous mathematical models developed and published to enable a reasonably accurate prediction to be made (Fitton, 2007;Simms et al, 2011;Fitton and Slatter, 2013;McPhail, 2014;Fitton, 2014;Pirouz et al, 2014;Quelopana, 2015;Fitton, 2016b). However, in the early days of thickened tailings design, many engineers relied on small scale depositional flume tests, in which a limited quantity of tailings was discharged into a fish tank (or similar vessel) to form a deposit.…”

Section: Tailings Beach Slopementioning

confidence: 99%

Avoiding large tailings dams without going underground-Robinsky’s thickened tailings concept

Fitton¹

2017

Proceedings of the 20th International Seminar on Paste and Thickened Tailings

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With the recent high profile failures of the Samarco and Mount Polley tailings dams, governments, environmental groups and mining companies have been looking to alternative methods of tailings storage that are not so reliant on the integrity of large embankment structures. Underground backfill of tailings is an attractive option at first glance, but unfortunately only a partial solution at the best of times; a typical underground mine can only contain a portion of the tailings whilst mining operations are ongoing, whilst a typical open-cut mine has no underground workings to fill. Dry stacking of filtered tailings is another attractive option, but it is relatively expensive in most situations. It is also still developing as a technology, with few large scale operations currently in service. Eli Robinsky's concept for the surface deposition of thickened tailings is a proven technology with dozens of examples of successful implementation around the world. It is asserted that Robinsky's thickened tailings concept has been unfairly ignored or dismissed in some parts of the world, resulting in the ongoing construction of many large tailings dams, all of which increase the risk of another major tailings dam failure occurring in future. This paper describes Eli Robinsky's concepts of Central Thickened Discharge and Down Valley Discharge, and presents some examples that demonstrate how these tailings storage concepts have been successfully applied in dozens of mines around the world. Some indication of the relative disposal cost per tonne for a number of alternative tailings disposal techniques is also presented.

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“…This sets a new challenge for practitioners in designing storages for such thick tailings, requiring a new approach to such flow regimes. A model for predicting beach slopes when such plug flows prevail has been published recently (Fitton and Slatter, 2013).…”

Section: 7mentioning

confidence: 99%

Paste and thickened tailings – myth busting and clarification

Fitton¹,

Seddon²

2013

Proceedings of the 16th International Seminar on Paste and Thickened Tailings

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It is the contention of this paper that there remains considerable confusion regarding the mechanisms and benefits of thickened tailings schemes. The terminology and interpretation of terms like 'thickened tailings' and 'paste' receive some consideration, in light of some observed contradiction in the industry. It is also noted that a number of tailings related misconceptions prevail amongst tailings practitioners. This paper attempts to clarify some of these issues, with the intention of dispelling some tailings myths. The subject of tailings beach slope prediction is one particular topic that deserves some consideration in the interests of clarity. A large portion of this paper is devoted to this topic, which has been approached from a number of directions over the past 40 years. Various prediction methods have been presented. Some prediction methods are analytical, with no need for any flume testing. Others have relied on a deposition test in a flume. The use of different types of flumes and deposition tests, either for providing validating data or input data, has created a great deal of confusion over what works and what does not, what is relevant and what is not. There has also been further confusion created by the presentation of the results, with some workers presenting fitted data as predictions. This paper discusses the mechanism of tailings deposition, with a view to evaluating the applicability of some of the approaches that have been presented. Various flume types and their relevance to the process are then discussed. Deposition tests and trials are also discussed in terms of the beach slopes that have been observed. Finally, some protocols are proposed for making the presentation of data more consistent and transparent.

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A tailings beach slope model featuring plug flow

Cited by 5 publications

References 6 publications

Integrating Site Conditions, Rate of Rise and Deposition Sequence to Beach Slope Estimations for High Thickened Tailings

Integrating Site Conditions, Rate of Rise and Deposition Sequence to Beach Slope Estimations for High Thickened Tailings

Avoiding large tailings dams without going underground-Robinsky’s thickened tailings concept

Paste and thickened tailings – myth busting and clarification

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