Centrifuge Modeling of Mine Tailings and Waste Rock Co-disposal, Consolidation and Dynamic Loading

Nonika Antonaki, Tarek Abdoun, Inthuorn Sasanakul

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

Abstract

Tailings from a planned copper-gold mining project located at the earthquake-prone Andean region of South America were obtained from the metallurgical pilot plant in order to perform centrifuge tests at the Center for Earthquake Engineering Simulation (RPI). Consolidation and shaking table tests were conducted to evaluate the properties and liquefaction potential of mildly sloped consolidated mine tailings. A gentle slope at the surface of a tailings impoundment can significantly add to the stored volume. In the field, the tailings are thickened and hydraulically deposited into the containment structure in layers. In the centrifuge, tailings were prepared in layers and consolidated, thus allowing instrumentation of each layer before consolidation of the complete impoundment. Due to long consolidation time, large settlement and clear signs of liquefaction after a few cycles of dynamic loading, the need for improvement arose. One of the alternative management methods that can improve physical stability and geochemical properties is co-disposal of mine tailings and waste rock. In this study, co-mixing of the materials at a specified ratio of dry mass (waste rock to tailings) prior to disposal was examined. The behavior was compared to that of tailings alone with respect to consolidation rate, settlement accumulation, slope stability and response to dynamic loading.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publicationSoil Dynamics and Soil-Structure Interaction for Resilient Infrastructure - Proceedings of the 1st GeoMEast International Congress and Exhibition, Egypt 2017 on Sustainable Civil Infrastructures
EditorsTarek Abdoun, Sherif Elfass
PublisherSpringer Science and Business Media B.V.
Pages25-34
Number of pages10
ISBN (Print)9783319635422
DOIs
StatePublished - 2018
Event1st GeoMEast International Congress and Exhibition on Sustainable Civil Infrastructures, Egypt 2017 - Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt
Duration: Jul 15 2017Jul 19 2017

Publication series

NameSustainable Civil Infrastructures
ISSN (Print)2366-3405
ISSN (Electronic)2366-3413

Conference

Conference1st GeoMEast International Congress and Exhibition on Sustainable Civil Infrastructures, Egypt 2017
Country/TerritoryEgypt
CitySharm El Sheikh
Period7/15/177/19/17

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Civil and Structural Engineering
  • Computational Mechanics
  • Geotechnical Engineering and Engineering Geology
  • Environmental Engineering

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