Thickened Tailings Beach Deposition. Field Observations and Full-Scale Flume Testing

Abstract

It is a matter of observational experience that slurry flow confines itself into a self-formed channel to find its way down the beach, Williams (2001). It is believed that the channel flow characteristics determine the overall beach slope. The present research project was undertaken to understand the flow characteristics of the channelized tailings. All tests were carried out in controlled conditions in a full-scale experimental flume installed at a mine site, using the flow of fresh mine tailings from the discharge pipeline. For each test, a limiting equilibrium bed slope was obtained. Velocity and density fluctuations and also the average profile with depth were recorded. It is thought that this is the first time that profile measurements on a full scale slurry flow of this type have been carried out. Results from the tests cover many issues and aspects of the ongoing work. The mechanisms involved in beach formation and development as well as the occurrence of laminar and turbulent slurry flow regimes on a real stack and the affecting parameters on beach slope, have been investigated in detail. A summary of the key data and the preliminary conclusions that can be drawn have been presented .