Por: Hilario Gorvenia y Eduardo Ku, Metso.

Abstract

Tailings management is an integral issue in the mining industry (Geology, Mine Operations, Concentrator Plant, Tailings Operations and Geotechnical) due to the environmental impacts and associated risks in the medium and long term.

The tailings dam component is not only part of the production process but also an environmental, social, legal, financial and long-term image component that, if properly managed, integrates the social license to operate.

The design, construction and operation of the TSF must ensure the stability of the dam, as well as the physical and chemical stability of the tailings dam.

However, there is no systematic methodology available that integrates process variables and geotechnical parameters throughout the life of the Mine, which have a close dependence on mineralogical species, defined technology and operating conditions.

New tailings unit operations technologies must address tailings disturbances and should not be a bottleneck when it comes to maximizing plant production. Long-term mine planning should include tailings management design.

Predictive controls of the type of ore, changes in rheology, etc., that will enter the Plant, will anticipate the Operations area and the Tailings Management area to carry out the pertinent actions in the tailings disposal to prevent unforeseen events in the Plant's production.

This paper proposes a mine planning methodology to optimize the life time of tailings storage facilities and maximize water recovery from tailings.