Geotechnical Evaluation of Tailings Dewatering

岩土工程处于为矿山尾矿管理制定可持续解决方案的前沿。这些泥浆的有效脱水对于降低成本、环境合规和社会许可至关重要。这项建议的重点是通过一个与行业相关的研究计划，对尾矿行为有一个清晰的了解。从细观力学的角度研究稠化尾矿在饱和和非饱和条件下的工程行为，将建立一个科学的框架。这项工作将作为三个独立但相互关联的项目进行，重点是：(1)聚合物改性尾矿的受阻沉降，以提高稠化产品的有效性；(2)3D大应变固结，以增加围挡池的储存能力；(3)固结尾矿的大气干燥，以确定控制不饱和表面沉积的机制。这种全面的研究举措将是学术领域(将泥浆微观力学纳入岩土工程)和目标社区(通过在沉积开始时管理尾矿处理)方面的重大发展。特定材料的尾矿改良技术为采矿业带来的预期经济效益可分为以下几类：(I)增加工艺水和化学试剂的回收；(Ii)增加尾矿储存设施的存储容量；(Iii)改善选矿过程不同阶段的用水量；及(Iv)减少酸性岩石排放和金属浸出，从而降低环境负担。拟议的研究结果将对制定加拿大和国外的新矿和现有矿的可持续运营、关闭和复垦计划具有重要意义。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。最后，基础设施能力建设、招聘高素质专业人员和跨学科扩展是里贾纳大学的重要好处。

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.