Geotechnical Evaluation of Tailings Dewatering

岩土工程在为矿山废料管理设计可持续解决方案方面处于领先地位。这些浆料的有效脱水是降低成本，环保合规和社会许可的关键。本提案的重点是通过一个工业相关的研究项目，对尾矿的行为有一个清晰的认识。从细观力学角度研究尾矿在饱和和非饱和条件下的工程行为，建立科学的框架。这项工作将作为三个独立但相互关联的项目进行，重点是：(i)阻碍聚合改性尾矿的沉降，以提高浓缩产品的有效性；（ii）三维大应变固结，以增加围堵池的储存能力；(3)固结尾矿的大气干燥，以确定非饱和表面沉积物的控制机制。这样一项全面的研究倡议将是学术领域（包括岩土工程中的泥浆微力学）和目标社区（在沉积开始时管理尾矿处理）的重大发展。特定物料尾矿改良技术对采矿业的预期经济效益可分为以下几个方面：(1)提高了工艺用水和化学试剂的回收量；（ii）增加尾矿围堵设施的储存能力；（三）改善矿石选矿过程各阶段的用水量；（iv）由于减少了酸性岩石排水和金属浸出，降低了环境责任。拟议的研究结果对于为加拿大和国外的新矿和现有矿制订可持续的作业、关闭和复垦计划将是重要的。同样，在这一过程中培训高素质的专业人员将有利于学术界、工业界和监管机构在经济发展和环境合规方面的工作。最后，基础设施能力的发展、高素质专业人员的招聘和跨学科的扩展是里贾纳大学的重要利益。

Geotechnical engineering is at the forefront of devising sustainable solutions for the management of mine waste tailings. Efficient dewatering of these slurries is pivotal for cost reduction, environmental compliance, and social licensure. This proposal focuses on developing a clear understanding of tailings behavior through an industrially relevant research program. A scientific framework will be established by studying the engineering behavior of thickened tailings in light of micromechanics under both saturated and unsaturated conditions. The work will be carried out as three separate but mutually related projects focusing on the following: (i) hindered sedimentation of polymer-modified tailings to improve effectiveness of the thickened product; (ii) 3D large-strain consolidation to increase storage capacity of the containment pond; and (iii) atmospheric desiccation of consolidated tailings to identify the mechanisms governing unsaturated surface deposits. Such a comprehensive research initiative will be a significant development for both the academic field (in terms of including slurry micromechanics in geotechnical engineering) and the target community (by managing tailings disposal at the outset of deposition). The expected economic benefits of material-specific tailings amelioration technologies to the mining industry can be classified as follows: (i) increased reclamation of process water and chemical reagents; (ii) increased storage capacity of the tailings containment facilities; (iii) improved water consumption at various stages of the ore beneficiation process; and (iv) lower environmental liabilities due to reduced acid rock drainage and metal leaching. Results of the proposed research will be important in developing sustainable operation, closure, and reclamation plans for new and existing mines both in Canada and abroad. Likewise, the training of highly qualified professionals during the process will be beneficial for academia, industry, and regulators with respect to both economic development and environmental compliance. Finally, the infrastructure capacity development, recruitment of highly qualified professionals, and cross-disciplinary extensions are important benefits for the University of Regina.