Valorization of mining waste and tailings through paste backfilling solution, Imiter operation, Morocco

Mine waste and process tailings storage is one of important challenge for which mining operations are increasingly confronted. Treatment discharges of plants and main part of waste rock development are generally stored on surface areas. The volume and chemical characteristics of these materials generate serious problem for required storage spaces and mainly environmental degradation. Paste backfill(PBF) is one of ingenious solutions to minimize the quantity of tailings to store. PBF is basically defined as a combination of mine processing tailings, binder, and water mixing. The purpose of this paper is to present backfilling components characterization and formula verification for a waste valorization solution through paste backfilling technology in Imiter operation. Obtained results and realized analysis demonstrate PBF conformity and adequacy with assigned underground functions. However the studied recipe can be more ameliorated to obtain an optimal mixture ensuring the required mechanical strength.

A numerical evaluation of continuous backfilling in cemented paste backfilled stope through an application of wick drains

Cemented paste backfill （CPB） is gaining popularity in many underground mines worldwide. Sufficient water is added into CPB to make a flowable material for pipe transportation. Barricades are built near the drawpoints to prevent in-rush of the fill slurry. To avoid barricade failures resulting from excessive backfill pressures, backfilling is typically performed with a plug pour followed by a final pour. The interval between the two pours should be shortened or removed to increase mining productivity and avoid pipe clogging. Recently, Li proposed to apply wick drains in backfilled stopes to promote drainage and consolidation. The preliminary simulations by considering an instantaneous filling indicated that the drainage of CPB can be significantly accelerated by using wick drains. Barricade was not considered. Here, some new numerical modeUings are presented with more representative filling sequences, stope geometry, and different draining configurations. The results illustrate that the stope can be backfilled continuously by using wick drains.

Using cemented paste backfill to tackle the phosphogypsum stockpile in China:A down-to-earth technology with new vitalities in pollutant retention and CO_(2) abatement

Phosphogypsum(PG),a hard-to-dissipate by-product of the phosphorus fertilizer production industry,places strain on the biogeochemical cycles and ecosystem functions of storage sites.This pervasive problem is already widespread worldwide and requires careful stewardship.In this study,we review the presence of potentially toxic elements(PTEs)in PG and describe their associations with soil properties,anthropogenic activities,and surrounding organisms.Then,we review different ex-/in-situ solutions for promoting the sustainable management of PG,with an emphasis on in-situ cemented paste backfill,which offers a cost-effective and highly scalable opportunity to advance the value-added recovery of PG.However,concerns related to the PTEs'retention capacity and long-term effectiveness limit the implementation of this strategy.Furthermore,given that the large-scale demand for ordinary Portland cement from this conventional option has resulted in significant CO_(2) emissions,the technology has recently undergone additional scrutiny to meet the climate mitigation ambition of the Paris Agreement and China's Carbon Neutrality Economy.Therefore,we discuss the ways by which we can integrate innovative strategies,including supplementary cementitious materials,alternative binder solutions,CO_(2) mineralization,CO_(2) curing,and optimization of the supply chain for the profitability and sustainability of PG remediation.However,to maximize the co-benefits in environmental,social,and economic,future research must bridge the gap between the feasibility of expanding these advanced pathways and the multidisciplinary needs.

Mechanical properties and damage evolution characteristics of waste tire steel fiber-modified cemented paste backfill

During the process of constructional backfill mining,the cemented paste backfill(CPB)typically exhibits a high degree of brittleness and limited resistance to failure.In this study,the mechanical and damage evolution characteristics of waste tire steel fiber(WTSF)-modified CPB were studied through uniaxial compression tests,acoustic emission(AE)tests,and scanning electron microscopy(SEM).The results showed that the uniaxial compressive strength(UCS)decreased when the WTSF content was 0.5%,1%,and 1.5%.When the WTSF content reached 1%,the UCS of the modified CPB exhibited a minimal decrease(0.37 MPa)compared to that without WTSF.When the WTSF content was 0.5%,1%,and 1.5%,peak strain of the WTSF-modified CPB increased by 18%,31.33%,and 81.33%,while the elastic modulus decreased by 21.31%,26.21%,and 45.42%,respectively.The addition of WTSF enhances the activity of AE events in the modified CPB,resulting in a slower progression of the entire failure process.After the failure,the modified CPB retained a certain level of load-bearing capacity.Generally,the failure of the CPB was dominated by tensile cracks.After the addition of WTSF,a gradual increase in the proportion of tensile cracks was observed upon loading the modified CPB sample to the pore compaction stage.The three-dimensional localization of AE events showed that the WTSF-modified CPB underwent progressive damage during the loading,and the samples still showed good integrity after failure.Additionally,the response relationship between energy evolution and damage development of WTSF-modified CPB during uniaxial compression was analyzed,and the damage constitutive model of CPB samples with different WTSF contents was constructed.This study provides a theoretical basis for the enhancement of CPB modified by adding WTSF,serving as a valuable reference for the design of CPB constructional backfill.

Recycling arsenic-containing bio-leaching residue after thermal treatment in cemented paste backfill:Structure modification,binder properties and environmental assessment

The substantial arsenic(As)content present in arsenic-containing bio-leaching residue(ABR)presents noteworthy environ-mental challenges attributable to its inherent instability and susceptibility to leaching.Given its elevated calcium sulfate content,ABR exhibits considerable promise for industrial applications.This study delved into the feasibility of utilizing ABR as a source of sulfates for producing super sulfated cement(SSC),offering an innovative binder for cemented paste backfill(CPB).Thermal treatment at varying temperatures of 150,350,600,and 800℃ was employed to modify ABR’s performance.The investigation encompassed the examination of phase transformations and alterations in the chemical composition of As within ABR.Subsequently,the hydration characteristics of SSC utilizing ABR,with or without thermal treatment,were studied,encompassing reaction kinetics,setting time,strength development,and microstructure.The findings revealed that thermal treatment changed the calcium sulfate structure in ABR,consequently impacting the resultant sample performance.Notably,calcination at 600℃ demonstrated optimal modification effects on both early and long-term strength attributes.This enhanced performance can be attributed to the augmented formation of reaction products and a densified micro-structure.Furthermore,the thermal treatment elicited modifications in the chemical As fractions within ABR,with limited impact on the As immobilization capacity of the prepared binders.

Particle aggregation and breakage kinetics in cemented paste backfill

The macroscopic flow behavior and rheological properties of cemented paste backfill(CPB)are highly impacted by the inherent structure of the paste matrix.In this study,the effects of shear-induced forces and proportioning parameters on the microstructure of fresh CPB were studied.The size evolution and distribution of floc/agglomerate/particles of paste were monitored by focused beam reflection measuring(FBRM)technique,and the influencing factors of aggregation and breakage kinetics of CPB were discussed.The results indicate that influenced by both internal and external factors,the paste kinetics evolution covers the dynamic phase and the stable phase.Increasing the mass content or the cement-tailings ratio can accelerate aggregation kinetics,which is advantageous for the rise of average floc size.Besides,the admixture and high shear can improve breaking kinetics,which is beneficial to reduce the average floc size.The chord length resembles a normal distribution somewhat,with a peak value of approximate 20μm.The particle disaggregation con-stant(k_(2))is positively correlated with the agitation rate,and k_(2) is five orders of magnitude greater than the particle aggregation constant(k1).The kinetics model depicts the evolution law of particles over time quantitatively and provides a theoretical foundation for the micromechanics of complicated rheological behavior of paste.

Effects of water content, water type and temperature on the rheological behaviour of slag-cement and fly ash-cement paste backfill

The pumping ability and placement performance of fresh cemented paste backfill(CPB) in underground mined cavities depend on its rheological properties. Hence, it is crucial to understand the rheology of fresh CPB slurry, which is related to CPB mixture design and the temperature underground. This paper presented an experimental study investigating the effects of binder type, content, water chemical properties and content, and temperature, on the rheological properties of CPB material prepared using the tailings of a copper mine in South Australia. Portland cement(PC), a newly released commercially manufactured cement called Minecem(MC) and fly ash(FA) were used as the binders added to the mine tailing materials. Various amounts of two different water types were added to the mixtures in the preparation of backfill material slurry. Six different temperatures ranging from 5 to 60 °C were to investigate the effect of temperature on CPB rheology. Overall, the increasing water content and decreasing temperature lead to lower yield stress. Based on the results obtained from the rheological properties of CPB slurry, it was found that at room temperature(25 °C), with regards to the unconfined compressive strength(UCS) performance, the replacement of 4% PC mixed CPB(28 days UCS 425 k Pa) to 3% MC mixed CPB(28 days UCS 519 k Pa), reduced the slurry yield stress from 210.7 to 178.5 Pa. The results also showed that the chemical composition of water affects the yield stress of CPB slurry and that MC mitigates the negative effect of mine-processed water(MW) and thus lead to improve the rheological properties of the slurry. However, the results suggested that the rheological properties of a mixture using MC is very sensitive to the water volume and temperature change. Therefore, using MC in backfill requires better quality control in slump mixing.

Strength evolution and deformation behaviour of cemented paste backfill at early ages： Effect of curing stress, filling strategy and drainage

In this study, a pressure cell apparatus is developed to investigate the early age evolution of the strength and deformation behaviour of cemented paste backfill(CPB) when subjected to various loading conditions under different curing scenarios. The different curing scenarios that are simulated include:(1)drained and undrained conditions,(2) different filling rates,(3) different filling sequences, and(4) different curing stresses. The findings show that drainage, curing stress, curing time and filling rate influence the mechanical and deformation behaviours of CPB materials. The coupled effects of consolidation, drainage and suction contribute to the strength development of drained CPB subjected to curing stress. On the other hand, particle rearrangement caused by the applied pressure and suction development due to self-desiccation plays a significant role in the strength gain of undrained CPB cured under stress.Furthermore, curing stress induces slightly faster rate of cement hydration, which can contribute to strength acquisition.

Effect of particle gradation characteristics on yield stress of cemented paste backfill

Along with slurry concentration and particle density,particle size distribution(PSD)of tailings also exerts a significant influence on the yield stress of cemented paste,a non-Newtonian fluid.In this work,a paste stability coefficient(PSC)was proposed to characterize paste gradation and better reveal its connection to yield stress.This coefficient was proved beneficial to the construction of a unified rheological model,applicable to different materials in different mines,so as to promote the application of rheology in the pipeline transportation of paste.From the results,yield stress showed an exponential growth with increasing PSC,which reflected the proportion of solid particle concentration to the packing density of granular media in a unit volume of slurry,and could represent the properties of both slurry and granular media.It was found that slurry of low PSC contained extensive pores,generally around 20μm,encouraging free flow of water,constituting a relatively low yield stress.In contrast,slurry of high PSC had a compact and quite stable honeycomb structure,with pore sizes generally<5μm,causing the paste to overcome a higher yield stress to flow.

Rheological behavior of paste in metal mines

Cemented paste backfill(CPB)has been one of the best practical approaches for tailings management and underground goaf treatment.Paste rheology is a science to study the flow and deformation behaviors of paste or filling body under the effects of stress,strain,temperature,and time during the CPB process.The goal of studying paste rheology is to solve the engineering problems existing in four key processes;that is,paste rheology should meet the engineering demands of thickening,mixing,transportation,and backfilling.However,paste rheology is extremely complicated due to its high concentration,materials complexity,and engineering characteristics of non-stratification,nonsegregation,and non-bleeding.The rheological behavior of full tailings in deep thickening,rheological behavior of paste in mixing and pipeline transportation,and rheological behavior of filling body are introduced and discussed:(1)gel point,compressive yield stress,and the hindered settling function are adopted to characterize the rheological properties of full tailings in deep thickening.Combination of Coe-Clevenger theory and Buscall-White theory can also analyze the thickening performance in the whole area of deep cone thickener;(2)yield stress and viscosity are consistent with the evolution trend of the relative structure coefficient of paste in mixing;(3)coupling effect of wall slip and time-temperature dependency has a significant influence on the rheological properties and pipeline transportation;(4)damage variable is introduced to the Burgers model to describe the creep damage of the filling body.However,in-depth and systematic studies were still needed to establish a complete theoretical system of paste rheology in metal mines.

Effects of temperatures and pH values on rheological properties of cemented paste backfill

In this study,different influence mechanisms associated with temperatures and pH values were investigated through cemented paste backfill(CPB)systems.CPB samples were prepared with temperatures ranging from 10 to 50℃ in 10℃ increments and pH values of 3,7,and 13.Then,the CPB mixture were subjected to rheological tests,thermogravimetric analysis(TG),derivative thermogravimetry analysis(DTG),Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy(FT-IR),and scanning electron microscopy(SEM).Results demonstrated that the temperatures had significant effects on the rheological properties of CPB,whereas the effects of pH values were relatively unapparent.Higher temperatures(over 20℃)were prone to bring higher shear stress,yield stress,and apparent viscosity with the same pH value condition.However,an overly high temperature(50℃)cannot raise the apparent viscosity.Non-neutral conditions,for pH values of 3 and 13,could strengthen the shear stress and apparent viscosity at the same temperature.Two different yield stress curves could be discovered by uprising pH values,which also led to apparent viscosity of two various curves under the same temperatures(under 50℃).Microscopically,rheological properties of CPB were affected by temperatures and pH values which enhanced or reduced the cement hydration procedures,rates,products and space structures.

Quantitative investigation on micro-parameters of cemented paste backfill and its sensitivity analysis

The mechanical properties of cemented paste backfill(CPB) depend heavily on its pore structural characteristics and micro-structural changes. In order to explore the variation mechanisms of macro-mechanical characteristics and micro-structure of CPB. CPB specimens with different mass concentrations prepared from the full tailings of Xianglushan Tungsten Ore were micro-tests. Moreover, acquired pore digital images were processed by using the pores(particles) and cracks analysis system(PCAS), and a sensitivity analysis was performed. The results show that as the mass concentration of CPB increases from 70% to 78%, the porosity, the average pore area and the number of pores drop overall, leading to a decline in the pores opening degree and enhancing the mechanical characteristics. As the mass concentration of CPB increases, the trend of fractal dimension, probability entropy and roundness is reduced, constant and increased, which can result in an enhancement of the uniformity, an unchanged directionality and more round pores. According to the definition of sensitivity, the sensitivities of various micro-parameters were calculated and can be ranked as porosity > average pore area > number of pores > roundness > fractal dimension > probability entropy.

Effect of curing humidity on performance of cemented paste backfill

Cemented paste backfill(CPB),a mixture of tailings,binder,and water,is widely and extensively used for the recovery of mineral resources,the prevention of ground subsidence,and the management of mine waste.When installed,the CPB is subjected to complex environmental conditions such as water content,temperature,and power,which have a significant impact on its efficiency.Thus,this study conducts a series of laboratory programs,including investigation of moisture,temperature,stress–strain relation,and microstructure to show the effect of curing humidity on the CPB behaviors.The results obtained indicate that ambient humidity can have a dramatic effect on CPB in terms of its macro performance of internal relative humidity,temperature and strength,as well as the micro expression.Typical examples of these effects on CPB include an increase in curing humidity,which favors binder hydration,and then an increase in hydration materials,temperature and peak stress in the CPB.The results obtained will lead to a better understanding of CPB’s responses to various environmental conditions.

Texture features analysis on micro-structure of paste backfill based on image analysis technology

The strength of cement-based materials,such as mortar,concrete and cement paste backfill(CPB),depends on its microstructures(e.g.pore structure and arrangement of particles and skeleton).Numerous studies on the relationship between strength and pore structure(e.g.,pore size and its distribution)were performed,but the micro-morphology characteristics have been rarely concerned.Texture describing the surface properties of the sample is a global feature,which is an effective way to quantify the micro-morphological properties.In statistical analysis,GLCM features and Tamura texture are the most representative methods for characterizing the texture features.The mechanical strength and section image of the backfill sample prepared from three different solid concentrations of paste were obtained by uniaxial compressive strength test and scanning electron microscope,respectively.The texture features of different SEM images were calculated based on image analysis technology,and then the correlation between these parameters and the strength was analyzed.It was proved that the method is effective in the quantitative analysis on the micro-morphology characteristics of CPB.There is a significant correlation between the texture features and the unconfined compressive strength,and the prediction of strength is feasible using texture parameters of the CPB microstructure.

High strain rate compressive strength behavior of cemented paste backfill using split Hopkinson pressure bar

The stability of cemented paste backfill(CPB)is threatened by dynamic disturbance,but the conventional low strain rate laboratory pressure test has difficulty achieving this research purpose.Therefore,a split Hopkinson pressure bar(SHPB)was utilized to investigate the high strain rate compressive behavior of CPB with dynamic loads of 0.4,0.8,and 1.2 MPa.And the failure modes were determined by macro and micro analysis.CPB with different cement-to-tailings ratios,solid mass concentrations,and curing ages was prepared to conduct the SHPB test.The results showed that increasing the cement content,tailings content,and curing age can improve the dynamic compressive strength and elastic modulus.Under an impact load,a higher strain rate can lead to larger increasing times of the dynamic compressive strength when compared with static loading.And the dynamic compressive strength of CPB has an exponential correlation with the strain rate.The macroscopic failure modes indicated that CPB is more seriously damaged under dynamic loading.The local damage was enhanced,and fine cracks were formed in the interior of the CPB.This is because the CPB cannot dissipate the energy of the high strain rate stress wave in a short loading period.

Experimental research and numerical simulation of the multi-field performance of cemented paste backfill:Review and future perspectives

Cemented paste backfill(CPB)technology is a green mining method used to control underground goaves and tailings ponds.The curing process of CPB in the stope is the product of a thermo-hydro-mechanical-chemical multi-field performance interaction.At present,research on the multi-field performance of CPB mainly includes indoor similar simulation experiments,in-situ multi-field performance monitoring experiments,multi-field performance coupling model construction of CPB,and numerical simulation of the multi-field performance of CPB.Because it is hard to study the in-situ multi-field performance of CPB in the real stope,most current research on in-situ multi-field performance adopts the numerical simulation method.By simulating the conditions of CPB in the real stope(e.g.,maintenance environment,stope geometry,drainage conditions,and barricade and backfilling rates),the multi-field performance of CPB is further studied.This paper summarizes the mathematical models employed in the numerical simulation and lists the engineering application cases of numerical simulation in the in-situ multi-field performance of CPB.Finally,it proposes that the multi-field performance of CPB needs to strengthen the theoretical study of multi-field performance,form the strength design criterion based on the multi-field performance of CPB,perform a full-range numerical simulation of the multi-field performance of CPB,develop a pre-warning technology for the CPB safety of CPB,develop automatic and wireless sensors for the multi-field performance monitoring of CPB,and realize the application and popularization of CPB monitoring technology.

Investigation of the short-term stress distribution in stopes and drifts backfilled with cemented paste backfill

Cemented paste backfill(CPB) is largely used in underground mines worldwide.A key issue associated with application of CPB is to estimate the stresses in backfilled stopes and on barricades.Recent numerical and experimental results show that arching effect is absent shortly after the placement of CPB in stopes.However,stress decreases in barricade drift with increasing distance between the measurement points and drawpoint have also been observed,demonstrating arching effect shortly after the pouring of CPB.To explain these paradoxes,CPB is considered as Bingham fluid having a yield shear stress.Three dimensional analytical solutions are proposed to evaluate the short-term total stresses in backfilled stopes and on barricades,accounting for the CPB's yield shear stress-induced arching effect.Stress diminution due to such arching effect in the backfilled stopes and on barricades is indeed obtained.But the reduction becomes insignificant using typical yield shear stress and stope geometry.More analyses indicate that the typical yield shear stress values do not fully correspond to field conditions where the yield shear stress would increase exponentially due to apparent consolidation(loss of water by drainage,a phenomenon similar to the desiccation of overly saturated fine-grained materials).

Artificial intelligence model for studying unconfined compressive performance of fiber-reinforced cemented paste backfill

To reduce the difficulty of obtaining the unconfined compressive strength(UCS) value of fiber-reinforced cemented paste backfill(CPB) and analyze the comprehensive impact of conventional and fiber variables on the compressive property, a new artificial intelligence model was proposed by combining a newly invented meta-heuristics algorithm(salp swarm algorithm, SSA) and extreme learning machine(ELM) technology. Aiming to test the reliability of that model, 720 UCS tests with different cement-to-tailing mass ratio, solid mass concentration, fiber content, fiber length, and curing time were carried out, and a strength evaluation database was collected. The obtained results show that the optimized SSA-ELM model can accurately predict the uniaxial compressive strength of the fiber-reinforced CPB, and the model performance of SSA-ELM model is better than ANN, SVR and ELM models. Variable sensitivity analysis indicates that fiber content and fiber length have a significant effect on the UCS of fiber-reinforced CPB.

Early-age strength property improvement and stability analysis of unclassified tailing paste backfill materials

High-density tailings,small cementitious materials,and additives are used for backfill materials with poor early compressive strength(ECS),which may greatly affect the mining and backfill cycle,to prepare paste backfill materials(PBMs)with a high ECS.The effects and mechanisms of different early strength agents on the property of PBM are investigated.The action mechanism of additives on the properties of PBM is also analyzed through X-ray diffraction,scanning electron microscope,and energy dispersive spectrometry.Results show that the effects of single-component additives 1,3,and 6 are better than those of the other additives,and their optimal dosages are 3wt%,1wt%,and 3wt%,respectively.The optimum multicomponent combinations are 1wt%of additive 1 and 1.5wt%of additive 6.The ECS of the paste with additive 10 increases to a greater extent than that of the other pastes because of the synergistic action of additive 1 with additive 6.The hydration product of Ca(OH)2 is consumed,and more C-S-H gels are generated with the addition of additives to paste.Tailings particles,ettringite crystals,and gels intertwined with one another form a dense net-like structure that fills the pores.This structure can significantly improve the ECS of PBM.

Systematic review of mixing technology for recycling waste tailings as cemented paste backfill in mines in China

The development of industry is inseparable from the support of mining.However,mining processes consume a large amount of energy,and increased tailing emissions can have a significant impact on the environment.In the past few decades,the mining industry developed many technologies that are related to mineral energy management,of which cemented paste backfill(CPB)is one of the representative technologies.CPB has been successfully applied to mine ground control and tailings management.In CPB technology,the mixing process is the key to achieving materials with good final quality and controlled properties.However,in the preparation process,the mixed homogeneity of the CPB is difficult to achieve because of fine tailings,high solid volume fraction,and high viscosity.Most research focused on the effect of mixing ingredients on CPB properties rather than on the preparation process of the CPB.Therefore,improving the performance and reducing the production cost of CPB by optimizing the mixing process are important.This review summarizes the current studies on the mixing technology of CPB and its application status in China.Then,it compares the advantages and disadvantages of multiple mixing equipment and discusses the latest results and research hotspots in paste preparation.Finally,it concludes the challenges and development trends of mixing technology on the basis of the relevant application cases in China to promoting cement-based material mixing technology development.