Determination of critical state line(CSL)for silty-sandy iron ore tailings subjected to low-high confining pressures

The disposal of filtered tailings in high dry stacks can induce particle breakage,changing the material's behaviour during the structure's lifetime.The grading changes influence material properties at the critical state,and this is not mature for intermediate artificial soils(tailings)in a broad range of confining pressures.In this paper,it aims to describe the behaviour of iron ore tailings in a spectrum of confining pressures broader than the reported in previous studies.A series of consolidated drained(CD)triaxial tests was carried out with confining pressures ranging from 0.075 MPa to 120 MPa.These results show that the amount of breakage plays an essential role in the response of iron ore tailings.The existence of curved critical state line(CSL)in both specific volume(ν)-logarithm of mean effective stress(p′)and deviatoric stress(q)-mean effective stress(p′)planes,and different responses in the deviatoric stress-axial strain-volumetric strain curves were verified.An inverse S-shaped equation was proposed to represent the silty-sandy tailings'behaviour up to high pressures onν-lnp′plane.The proposed equation provides a basis for enhancing constitutive models and considers the evolution of the grading up to severe loading conditions.The adjustment considered three regions with different responses associated with particle breakage at different pressure levels.

Mechanical behavior of iron ore tailings under standard compression and extension triaxial stress paths

The disposal of mining tailings has increasingly focused on the use of dry stacks.These structures offer more security since they use filtered and compacted material.Because of the construction method and the heights achieved,the material that compounds the structure can be subjected to different stress paths along the failure plane.The theoretical framework considered in the design of these structures generally is the critical state soil mechanics(CSSM).However,the data in the literature concerning the uniqueness of critical state line(CSL)is still controversial as the soil is subjected to different stress paths.With respect to tailings,this question is even more restricted.This paper studies two tailings with different gradings due to the beneficial processes over extension and compression paths.A series of drained and undrained triaxial tests was conducted over a range of initial densities and stress levels.In the q-p'plane,different critical stress ratio(M)values were obtained for compression and extension stress paths.However,the critical state friction angle is very similar with a slightly higher critical state friction angle for extension tests.Curved stress path dependent CSLs were obtained in the n-lnp0 plane with the extension tests below the CSL defined in compression.Regarding the fines content,the studied tailings presented very similar M and critical state friction angle values.However,the fines content af-fects the volumetric behavior of the studied tailings and the CSLs on the n-lnp0 plane shift downwards with the increasing fines content for compression and extension tests.In relation to dilatancy analysis,the fines content did not present an evident influence on the dilatancy of the materials.However,different values of mean stress ratio N were obtained between compression and extension tests and can corroborate the existence of non-unique CSLs for these materials.

Iron ore tailings used for the preparation of cementitious material by compound thermal activation

In the background of little reuse and large stockpile for iron ore tailings, iron ore tailing from Chinese Tonghua were used as raw material to prepare cementitious materials. Cementitious properties of the iron ore tailings activated by compound thermal activation were studied. Testing methods, such as XRD, TG-DTA, and IR were used for researching the phase and structure variety of the iron ore railings in the process of compound thermal activation. The results reveal that a new cementitious material that contains 30wt% of the iron ore tailings can be obtained by compounded thermal activation, whose mortar strength can come up to the standard of 42.5 cement of China.

Phase, magnetism and thermal conductivity of glass ceramics from iron ore tailings

In order to develop the applications of ore tailings, the glass ceramics were prepared by using a conventional melting-quenching-sintering process. The phase component, microstructures, magnetic properties and thermal conductivities of the prepared glass ceramics were investigated by using X-ray diffractometer, scanning electron microscopy, vibrating sample magnetometer and thermophysical properties tester, respectively. The results show that orthorhombic olivine-type phase and triclinic sunstone-type phase formed when the glass was annealed at 700 oC, the concentration of olivine-type and sunstone-type phases decreased, the spinel-type cubic phase occurred and the amount increased when the annealing temperatures increased. The magnetic properties from the cubic spinel ferrites were detected in the glass ceramics, and the related saturation magnetization increased with the annealing temperature increasing. The porous glass ceramics with magnetic property showed much lower thermal conductivity, compared with the non-magnetic porous glass-ceramic and the dense glass-ceramics.

Different Effects of Wet and Dry Grinding on the Activation of Iron Ore Tailings

Improving the activity of Iron Ore Tailings(IOTs)to utilize them as a mineral admixture in cement-based minerals is still challenging.In this paper,the wet grinding technology was employed to stimulate the activity of IOTs,and the traditional dry grinding method was used as a reference.The effect of wet grinding on the activation of IOTs was evaluated through ion leaching from an alkaline solution and the reactivity index.Additionally,a detailed comparison between Dry-grinding Iron Ore Tailings(DIOTs)and Wet-grinding Iron Ore Tailings(WIOTs)was made.This comparison was based on particle characteristics,crystal structures,chemical structure,and surface properties.The results showed that the particle size of IOTs reduced rapidly during wet grinding.In addition,WIOTs had a higher activity index compared to DIOTs.The storage of lattice distortions in the quartz crystal structure was also more significant during the wet grinding process than during the dry grinding process.Moreover,both prolonged dry and wet grinding could destabilize the Si-O bond and decrease the surface binding energy.

Relationship between polymerization degree and cementitious activity of iron ore tailings

The aim of this study is to understand the relationship between the polymerization degree and cememitious activity of iron ore tailings. In light of the poor usage of iron ore tailings, stockpile samples from Tangshan were studied in terms of their ability to become cementitious materials. Compound thermal activation was used to improve the cementitious properties of the tailings, while analyzing methods, such as X-ray diffraction （XRD）, infrared spectroscopy （IR）, nuclear magnetic resonance （NMR）, and X-ray photoelectron spectrometer （XPS）, were employed to study the changes in phase and structure under different activation conditions. The results reveal clear relationships between the binding energies of Si2p and O 1 s, polymerization degree, and cementitious activity of iron ore tailings.

Volcanic Activity and Thermal Excitation of Rich-silicon Iron Ore Tailing in Concrete

In order to distinguish the filling effect and volcanic activity and explore the ways motivating the activity of rich-silicon iron ore tailing（IOT）, inert quartz was brought in as the correction standard, the influences of fineness, calcination, thermal curing system and some other factors were investigated by IR, XRD, MIP, and so on microscopic methods. The experimental results show grinding and calcination can only change the amorphous state of SiO2, and IOT do not have volcanic activity in concrete cured under room temperature condition. Thermal curing systems can stimulate the activity of IOT, especially mortar cured by autoclave curing system can consume a large amount of Ca（OH）2 and hard calcium silicate and has a closer structure. When the specific surface area of IOT powder is 800 m^2/kg, and 30% cement is replaced by IOT powder, the mortar strength with IOT powder is even higher than that with cementonly.

Preparation of Micro-Iron Ore Tailings by Wet-Grinding and Its Application in Sulphoaluminate Cement

Herein,micro iron ore tailings(micro-IOTs)were prepared by wet-grinding and applied to improve sulphoaluminate cement(SAC)performance.The physicochemical properties of micro-IOTs were investigated by particle size analysis,XRD,and XPS.The hydrates trait and the hydration mechanism of micro-IOTs-SAC composite were studied by XRD,TGA,MIP,and SEM.The results demonstrated that micro-IOTs with an average grain diameter of 517 nm could be obtained by wet-grinding.The setting time of SAC gradually decreased with increasing micro-IOTs content.By adding 2%micro-IOTs,the compressive strengths of SAC pastes were enhanced about 22%and 10%at 4 h and 28 d,respectively.Moreover,the addition of micro-IOTs accelerated ettringite precipitation and changed its morphology,resulting in early strength improvement of the binary system.And increased later strength by micro-IOTs was closely related to the high content of AH_(3),fine pore structure,and high hydration degree of SAC.The findings suggested one new approach to utilize iron ore tailings in cementbased materials.

Pavement Performance Research Progress and Evaluation of Asphalt Mixture Incorporating Iron Ore Tailings

In order to solve the problems caused by the storage of iron ore tailings (IOTs), many researchers conducted a series of experimental studies on the reuse of IOTs. The results of many studies showed that it was feasible to use IOTs for road engineering. This paper summarized the composition, gradation and particle characteristics of IOTs from chemical and physical aspects, and proved the feasibility of IOTs replacing traditional aggregate for asphalt concrete. Then, the research on the road performance of asphalt concrete incorporating IOTs were summarized and reviewed, including the evaluation of high-temperature stability, low-temperature crack resistance, fatigue resistance and water stability. The water stability and the improvement of adhesion between asphalt and IOTs aggregate were discussed in detail. Finally, the performance of IOTs as asphalt concrete aggregate and the existing defects were evaluated, and future research directions were proposed.

Hydrometallurgical Processing of Brazilian Iron Ore Tailings for the Synthesis of Pigments

The aim of this study was to investigate the synthesis of iron oxide pigments from IOT. The sample of IOT was obtained through mining activity of the Quadrilátero Ferrífero in the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil. The procedure was carried out by hot acid leaching with hydrochloric acid (HCl) which allowed the recovery of about 95% of the iron in a liquor. The iron-based pigments—red (IBP_R), black (IBP_B), and yellow (IBP_Y)—were synthetised from the liquor by selective precipitation, crystallisation, and thermal procedures. The pigments were characterised by particle size distribution, mineral and chemical compositions, as well as colourimetric properties. The process of synthesis was successful and the procedure was shown to maximise the utilisation of mineral resources and minimise the environmental, social, and economic impacts associated with IOT disposal.

Load-settlement behaviour of a strip footing resting on iron ore tailings as a structural fill

This study presents a laboratory investigation of load-settlement behaviour of a strip footing resting on iron ore tailings used as a structural fill.The footing was placed at various depths in the tailings bed.The relative density of the tailings was varied as D_r = 50%,70%and 90%.An incremental load was applied on the footing while observing the settlement until the failure took place.The results obtained for tailings were compared with those for the sandy soil.It is observed that the load-bearing capacity and stiffness increase with an increase in footing embedment depth and relative density.Compared to load-settlement behaviour of Perth sandy soil,the tailings fill could have as high as 22 times and 13.5 times the load-bearing capacity and stiffness,respectively.Therefore,the replacement of sandy soil with iron ore tailings for structural fills is cost-effective,and moreover,this application contributes to environmental sustainability in construction.

Ultra fine grinding of silver plant tailings of refractory ore using vertical stirred media mill

Ultra fine grinding of the plant tailings of a refractory silver ore was studied using a laboratory type vertical stirred media mill. Preliminary tests confirmed that ultra fine grinding substantially improves the extraction of silver from the tailings in cyanide leaching （i.e. 36% Ag extraction rate from the as-received tailings with d80 of 100 μm, c.f. 84% extraction rate after ultra fine grinding of the tailings with ds0 of 1.2 pro）. In the ultra fine grinding tests, the effects of ball diameter （2-4.5 mm）, stirring speed （200-800 r/m/n） and ball charge ratio （50%-80%） on the fineness of grind （ds0, ~tm） were investigated through a Box-Behnken design. Increasing stirrer speed and ball charge ratio decreased fineness of grind while larger balls resulted in the coarser products. The tests demonstrated that a fineness of grind less than 5 μm can be achieved under suitable conditions. Analysis of stress intensity indicated an optimum range of stress intensity of （0.8-2）× 10^- 3 μm for all power inputs.

Crystallization behavior of blast furnace slag modified by adding iron ore tailing

Blast furnace （BF） slag is a by-product of the ironmaking process and could be utilized to manufacture slag fiber by adding iron ore tailing. The crystallization behavior of the modified BF slag is significant to the fi- brosis process. To investigate the influence of basieity on the crystallization behavior, BF slag was modi- fied by adding iron ore tailing at room temperature and melted at 1 500 ℃. FactSage simulation, X-ray dif- fraction, scanning electron microscopy backscattered electron imaging coupled to an energy dispersive spectrometer, and hot thermocouple technique analysis were performed to explore the crystallization be- havior of the modified BF slag during the cooling process. It was found that the initial crystallization tem- perature increased with the increase in basicity. Melilite, anorthite, clinopyroxene, and wollastonite could be generated during the cooling process as basicity ranged from 0.7 to 0.9. Spinel could be found as one of the phases; however, wollastonite disappeared under a basicity of 1.0. The initial crystallization tempera- ture was controlled by the crystallization of melilite during the cooling process when the basicity of the modified BF slag ranged from 0. 7 to 1.0. Moreover, the cooling rate could also influence the crystalliza- tion of the modified BF slag.

Nucleation and crystallization of tailing-based glass-ceramics by microwave heating

The effect of microwave radiation on the nucleation and crystallization of tailing-based glass-ceramics was investigated using a 2.45 GHz multimode microwave cavity. Tailing-based glass samples were prepared fi＇om Shandong gold tailings and Guyang iron tailings utilizing a conventional glass melting technique. For comparison, the tailing-based glass samples were crystallized using two different heat-treatment methods： conventional heating and hybrid microwave heating. The nucleation and crystallization temperatures were determined by performing a differential thermal analysis of the quenched tailing-based glass. The prepared glass-ceramic samples were further characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy, thermal expansion coefficient measurements, and scanning electron microscopy. The results demonstrated that hybrid microwave heating could be successfully used to crystallize the tailing-based glass, reduce the processing time, and decrease the crystallization temperature. Furthermore, the results indicated that the nucleation and crystallization mechanism of the hybrid microwave heating process slightly differs fi＇om that of the conventional heating process.

Acid mine drainage and heavy metal contamination in groundwater of metal sulfide mine at arid territory (BS mine,Western Australia)

The issues of acid mine drainage （AMD） and heavy metals contamination in the metal sulfide mine in the add district were explored, through studying the acidification and the heavy metals distribution and evolution of groundwater in the black swan （BS） nickel sulfide mine （Western Australia）. The groundwater samples were collected from the drilling holes situated in the vicinity of tailings storage facility （TSF） and in the background of the mine （away from TSF）, respectively, and the pH and electric conductivity （Ec） were measured in site and the metal contents were analysed by ICP-MS and ICP-AES, quarterly in one hydrological year. The results disclose that the TSF groundwater is remarkably acidified （.pHmean=5, pHmin=3）, and the average contents of heavy metals （Co, Cu, Zn, Cd） and Al, Mn are of 1-2 orders of magnitude higher in TSF groundwater than in background groundwater. It may be due to the percolation of tailings waste water from miU process, which leads the tailings to oxidize and the deep groundwater to acidify and contaminate with heavy metals. Besides, the heavy metals concentration in groundwater may be controlled by pH mainly.