Use of novel admixtures to enhance cemented paste backfill performance

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Canada is one of the largest mining nations in the world. However, the mining industry produces a large quantity of mine waste, especially mainly tailings. Public perception and strict government regulations with regards to the surface disposal of such tailings compel the mining industry to develop new strategies which are environmentally sound and cost effective. One of the most successful strategies is the development of cemented paste backfill (CPB) technology. CPB consists of a mixture of tailings, binders and water. The key function of CPB is the mechanical stabilization of underground mine openings and disposal of tailings, resulting in substantial economic benefit for the mining industry. One of the highest priorities in the mine backfill technology is the development of cheap and excellent additive materials to reduce the cost of CPB (mainly controlled by the cement consumption), improve its flow ability, improve its early age strength increase rate (i.e speed up mining cycle), decrease its early age pore pressure (i.e. reduce load on barricade and increase liquefaction resistance), while maintaining or improving other performance properties (e.g., environmental behaviour), in order to develop high performance CPB. To achieve the aforementioned goal, the company, BASF Canada, one of the world leaders in production and marketing of chemical admixtures, is developing collaboration with Dr. Fall from the University of Ottawa, an expert in CPB, to make the development of high performance CPB by using MasterRoc MineFill Admixtures as a possibility. BASF Canada has patented novel admixtures, formulated for mine backfill applications, which could significantly improve the performance (e.g., flow ability, early age strength increase rate, cost, early age pore pressure) of CPB.The development of the technology of high performance CPB will open the lucrative and vast market of mine tailings backfill to the BASF Canada's admixtures, and thus offer interesting business opportunities to BASF Canada at both national and international level.