Abstract:The extraction of iron ore has a fundamental role in the Brazilian economy. However, such activity generates considerable volumes of waste whose disposal, even if regulated and licensed, has a significant environmental impact. The worldwide concern for sustainable practices along with the urgency for measures to mitigate environmental damage, justifies research on its use in other activities. Therefore, the present study aims to analyze the test results of laboratory versus field of mixtures composed of mining… Show more
“…There has been early research in the literature on the use of commingled mine wastes as construction materials outside of the mining industry. Andalicio et al [22] experimented with commingled mine waste in base and sub-base layers of experimental roadways. They found that the material behaved differently between laboratory and field settings.…”
Tailings volumes continue to collectively increase worldwide, leading to larger dams and tailings management facilities. With numerous high-profile dam failures in the past decade, the risks of these management practices are also growing. A potential shift to waste management practices at mineral mines is to commingle waste rock and dewatered tailings. This blended material should have superior physical strength properties provided by the waste rock together with improved chemical stability characteristics associated with the low permeability of the tailings. Ideally, commingled tailings and waste rock can be used to construct various mined earth landforms that are both physically and chemically stable, which will enhance operational performance and ultimately provide for the sustainable decommissioning and closure of the mining facility. To study these materials, the University of Alberta Geotechnical Centre is working with global industry partners to test commingled materials from several mine sites with varying ore and host rock types and climate regimes. The first stage of this study is described here and is focused on the optimum density, saturated hydraulic conductivity, and soil–water characteristic curves of various blend ratios, performed at laboratory scale.
“…There has been early research in the literature on the use of commingled mine wastes as construction materials outside of the mining industry. Andalicio et al [22] experimented with commingled mine waste in base and sub-base layers of experimental roadways. They found that the material behaved differently between laboratory and field settings.…”
Tailings volumes continue to collectively increase worldwide, leading to larger dams and tailings management facilities. With numerous high-profile dam failures in the past decade, the risks of these management practices are also growing. A potential shift to waste management practices at mineral mines is to commingle waste rock and dewatered tailings. This blended material should have superior physical strength properties provided by the waste rock together with improved chemical stability characteristics associated with the low permeability of the tailings. Ideally, commingled tailings and waste rock can be used to construct various mined earth landforms that are both physically and chemically stable, which will enhance operational performance and ultimately provide for the sustainable decommissioning and closure of the mining facility. To study these materials, the University of Alberta Geotechnical Centre is working with global industry partners to test commingled materials from several mine sites with varying ore and host rock types and climate regimes. The first stage of this study is described here and is focused on the optimum density, saturated hydraulic conductivity, and soil–water characteristic curves of various blend ratios, performed at laboratory scale.
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