ABSTRACT

An emerging technology for sustainable development in mineral

development, tailings co-disposal is a means to dispose of con-
ventional mill tailings within the void space of a waste rock dump. This
method, while not applicable to all tailings systems, can offer a sig-
nificant reduction in short-term and long-term environmental liability,
land disturbance, closure costs, and negative public image. The con-
cept is to dispose of the tailings simultaneously with the waste rock
or leach ore, controlling the ratio of tailings to coarse material such
that the resulting dump is stable both physically and chemically. The
resulting co-disposal dump can be as safe as a conventional waste
dump. In the case of alkaline tailings in a potentially acidic waste
dump, the acid production can be buffered or slowed.
INTRODUCTION
This report summarizes the evaluation of co-disposal technology
to the management of cyanide mill tailings at the Esquel project. The
project is owned by Meridian Gold Inc. (Meridian) and is located in the
Chabut State of Argentina, approximately 6 kilometers northwest of
the city of Esquel. From the onset of the engineering studies Meridian
was attempting to utilize a method of tailings disposal other than a
conventional tailings impoundment. The main reason for this was that
they felt the increased risks during operation and closure of a conven-
tional tailings facility were not warranted. Further, preliminary meet-
ings with the lead regulatory agency suggested that a conventional
tailings dam would be considered negatively within the Esquel context.
TAILINGS CO-DISPOSAL
Tailings Co-disposal is a novel concept which uses the open
void space in mine waste rock for disposal of the finer grained tail-
ings. Because waste rock is a coarse run-of-mine product created
from blasting of rock, there are large voids created when the waste is
placed in a dump. For competent waste, these large void spaces can
accommodate substantial amounts of tailings. Clayey and sandy
wastes may not be suitable for this technology, depending on the gra-
dation and, ultimately, the available void ratio. Some of the advan-
tages of this technology are summarized in Table 1.
SME Annual Meeting
Feb. 23-25, Denver, Colorado
Preprint 04-156
TAILINGS CO-DISPOSAL AT THE ESQUEL GOLD MINE
PATAGONIA, ARGENTINA
M. Leduc
Vector Colorado, LLC
Golden, CO
M. Backens
Meridian Gold
Reno, NV
M. E. Smith
Vector Per S.A.C.
Lima Per
1 Copyright 2004 by SME
Table 1. Some Benefits of Co-Disposal
1
1
In part from Breaking New Ground, report of the Mining,
Minerals and Sustainable Development project,
Earthscan Publications, ch. 10, 2002.
How Tailings Co-Disposal Works
There are a many ways to accomplish mixing of tailings with
waste rock and each was evaluated to determine their feasibility. The
first step was to evaluate the tailings and waste rock to determine
their suitability for use in co-disposal. This involves a detailed program
of geotechnical testing and analyses to first find technically feasible
options, then to optimize these in terms of cost and performance.
Probably the most important geotechnical criteria are strength and
permeability: strength controls short- and long-term stability and per-
meability effects issues such as contaminate migration and drainage.
Typically (and intuitively) the strength will show a relationship
between the ratios of waste-to-tailings, with the internal friction angle
approaching that of tailings alone at very low ratios of waste to tail-
ings. What is of particular concern is if and where there is a sharp
reduction in the strength with an incremental increase in tailings,
showing that the mix starts to behave more like tailings than waste
rock. Figure 1 shows the variation in friction angle with the different
blend ratios. It is clear that between 4:1 and 2:1 (waste:tailings by
weight) that the strength characteristics of the mix changes from
behaving like rock to behaving like tailings.
The response of the permeability tests is similar, with the per-
meability decreasing with decreasing ratios of waste, approaching
the permeability of tailings at very low blended ratios. The relation of
permeability to waste tailings blends are shown in Figure 2 which
shows in this case a 5 order of magnitude drop in permeability from
a 4:1 (waste:tailings) to a 1:1 blend.
Another important test is to determine a drained moisture con-
tent test on the free draining blends. This is critical in understanding
the potential for saturation (or near saturation) in the field, which
could possibly result in the liquefaction (either static or dynamic) of
the waste dump. Since flow slide liquefaction is potentially the most
catastrophic form of failure of a waste dump, proper study and ade-
quate factors of safety must be applied in this area.
Other key geotechnical parameters are unconfined compressive
strength and consolidation. The unconfined compressive strength is
critical in determining the stability of a tailings pond when a waste lift
is placed over the top. This parameter can be enhanced by addition
of binders if needed. Binders can also improve erosion resistance
and thus wet weather behavior. Consolidation testing determines the
rate of strength gain after initial deposition.
Options for Tailings Co-Disposal
There are several ways to commingle the tailings with the waste
rock. We have presented below some of the methods we have con-
sidered for the Esquel site and these are;
1. Placing the tailings in discrete ponds or layers in the dump,
which can then be buried as new lifts of waste are placed,
2. Blending the waste rock and tailings together to make a rela-
tively homogeneous material either by blending in a haul truck or by
mixing at the dump crest,
3. Injecting the tailings as a paste or thickened slurry into the
waste rock dump, either by drilling holes for injection or simply
installing injection lines along the working face for use after the dump
has advanced sufficiently, and
4. Applying a thin veneer of thickened tailings on the face of the
waste rock pile and allowing the tailings to infiltrate and dry, then the
veneer can be covered by another layer of waste rock.
Each of these methods is discussed in greater detail below.
Included in the discussion are the advantages and disadvantages of
each method.
The analyses of co-disposal alternatives focused on how each
method will perform. The stability of mixed waste and tailings and also
how each method will perform with regards to environmental issues
such as dump drain water quality and production of acid rock
drainage (ARD) was examined. From a stability standpoint, the most
critical point is to control the buildup of pore pressure in the dump as
it is constructed. The development of excess pore pressure could
cause a slope failure, resulting in a major dump failure.
Tailings placed in discrete ponds or layers within the waste
dump: One way to create this configuration is to build berms that
would form discrete ponds where the tailings could be placed. While
one pond is being filled, another cell would be constructed, and so
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Feb. 23-25, Denver, Colorado
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Figure 1. Variation in Angle of Friction with Blend
30
35
40
45
All
Waste
8:1 6:1 4:1 2:1 1:1 0.5:1 All Tails
Blend (waste:tailings)
F
r
i
c
t
i
o
n

A
n
g
l
e
Figure 2. Variation in Permeability with Blend
1.0E-06
1.0E-05
1.0E-04
1.0E-03
1.0E-02
1.0E-01
1.0E+00
4:1 2:1 1:1 Tails Only Blend
P
e
r
m
m
e
a
b
i
l
i
t
y

-

l
o
g

s
c
a
l
e

c
m
/
s
Figure 3. Ponds of Tailings Placed in Waste Dump
Blend (waste:tailings)
F
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A
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e
on. The berms would form containment structures and also form flow
paths in the tailings layer so that infiltrated rainwater would not be
blocked by the tailings layer. After a period of time, the next waste lift
will be placed on top of the tailings and the cycle repeated. A typical
cross-section of this configuration is seen in Figure 3.
This option provides many advantages, but one of the primary
advantages is that mobile equipment will not be required for the
placement and handling of tailings. However, the major disadvantage
is if the covering waste lift is placed too quickly, pore pressure will
buildup in the tailings and the tailings layer could be subject to a sud-
den failure, risking not only the active area of the dump but also
equipment working near the crest. To overcome the major concern of
lift failures as the dump progresses, Portland cement or some other
binding agent could be added to improve the cohesion and overall
strength of the material. Take this example: for a case of no cement
and a reasonable rate of waste advance for the 20 m of waste placed
over 5 m of tailings, the resulting factor of safety might be less than
1.0. But for the same advance rate if we assume improvements in
strength due to cement addition, using values obtained in the labora-
tory, the factor of safety improves to 1.4 with the addition of 1%
cement and to 2.4 with the addition of 3% cement.
Blended tailings with waste rock at the face: Three methods of
blending at the dump face have been considered for Esquel. The first
is to mix the material at the face by placing both tailings and mine
waste near the crest of the active dump area and then pushing it over
the face. The second method blending at the face method would be
to place the tailings in a haul truck with the waste rock and then dump
the un-mixed material out at the dump face. The third method, similar
to the second method, is to mix the waste and tailings together on a
conveyor belt. This would be feasible if the mine transported the
waste by conveyor.
The principal advantage of the blending at the dump face
methogology is homogenization of the mix, providing more uniform
and therefore reliable properties throughout the dump. This also
reduces the likely need for a binding agent and may result in a high-
er allowable proportion of tailings in the final mix. The principal dis-
advantages are related to operating costs and having mobile equip-
ment in regular contact with the tailings, creating worker hygiene con-
cerns and additional equipment maintenance costs.
Injected into the waste dump: This third method involves inject-
ing the paste or thickened tails into the body of the waste dump. It is
believed that the optimal way to achieve this is to place pipes on the
dump face and then cover them with waste. Once the dump face has
advanced sufficiently, the pipes in the dump will be connected to the
tailings distribution system and tailings will be injected into the body
of the dump. This method is seen in Figure 4. If the method of laying
the pipe on the face is not feasible then pipes can be put in place by
drilling vertical holes and placing a slotted pipe in the hole, this
method is seen in Figure 5. The drill hole option also allows old waste
dumps to be used for new tailings disposal.
Initial studies of tailings rheology and typical waste rock grada-
tions at Esquel have indicated that tailings will penetrate radially as
much as 30 meters into the body of the dump (for open graded rock).
In underground mines in Canada where paste tailings has been
injected in rock fill, 10 meters of tailings penetration has been
achieved. This is based on experience where a similar method was
used to construct backfill for an overhand and underhand cut and fill
mining method.
Injecting the tailings into the dump has the advantage of holding
the mixture as far away from the active or ultimate dump face as
desired, as well as minimizing equipment contact with tailings. It may
also result in higher proportions of tailings and a reduced need for
binders. Injection also allows co-disposal to be applied to old waste
dumps. However, the costs for this option are the highest of the
methodologies considered.
Applying a Veneer of Thickened Tailings on the Waste Face
(Gravity Grouting): This fourth method involves placing a thin veneer
of paste/thickened tailings on the waste rock face and then allowing
the tailings to infiltrate and dry. After a short period of time, another
mine waste rock layer will be placed over the veneer. Figure 6 shows
a cross-section of this method. At this time we anticipate the tailings
layer will be 20 to 40 cm thick and the waste will be 1.5 to 3 m thick.
The veneer would be placed on the face by laying a perforated pipe
at the top of the waste face and allowing the tailings to be applied
slowly to the face. The width of the application area is dependent on
the dump face height and the rate of tailings production, but the appli-
cation area would be moved on a daily basis.
Since the tailings layers are very thin, the pore water buildup
concerns of method 1 are far reduced. Also, a considerable infiltration
of tailings into the waste is anticipated (as verified by a pilot scale
tests). Further, since the run-of-mine waste rocks are very large rela-
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Figure 5. Injection of tailing in a drilled vertical hole
Figure 4. Tailings Injection Placed on Advancing Dump Face
tive to the layer of tailings, there should be a significant amount of
interlocking between layers above and below the veneer of tailings.
Advantages include low cost and easy visual monitoring of
results. The system does require a lot of operator judgment, espe-
cially during the wet season to avoid sediment discharges and ero-
sion. Concerns about inhomogeneity in the mixture are likely to lead
to more conservative designs.
Cost Implications of Tailings Co-Disposal
Every mine operator has to consider the site-specific conditions
when evaluating the feasibility of tailings co-disposal. An economic
trade-off study will need to be undertaken that compares other tail-
ings management methods, such as a conventional tailings impound-
ment, underground backfill, etc. The evaluation takes into account the
benefits of co-disposal such as water conservation, reduced capital
costs because there is no need for a tailings impoundment, and
reduced closure costs.
From the first estimates for costs, tailings co-disposal at
Esquel will likely have an operating cost of approximately 50 cents a
tonne, versus over $1.00 for a lined tailings impoundment. Both costs
are before consideration of closure. Tailings impoundment closure
can be complex and expensive while the cost for closing a co-dis-
posal dump is similar to or less than a conventional waste dump.
CO-DISPOSAL & SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
The main benefits of tailings co-disposal are the lack of a tail-
ings dam, and the reduced access to water and oxygen in the waste
dump, reducing ARD potential from both the rock and tailings. Lately,
because of the well-publicized problems with tailings containment
systems, it is beneficial to use a system that eliminates the need for
a dam. In many regulatory environments, co-disposal may find
greater acceptance than conventional tailings management systems.
The total land area required for a waste dump/tailings co-dis-
posal system is much smaller than for separate facilities. In the opti-
mum scenario, the volume of tailings is completely absorbed in the
free voids of the waste dump. By reducing land disturbance one of the
greatest unmitigable impacts of mining is reduced: permanent diver-
sion of land from other uses, such as agriculture and wildlife habitat.
Also, in the case of gold tailings, there is no exposed cyanide tailings
pond, so migratory birds are not exposed to contaminated water,
thereby contributing to environmental sustainability.
For the Esquel project, the total land disturbance will be reduced
by 40 ha due to co-disposal. Further, the optimum tailings impound-
ment location is a valuable agricultural site. The post-closure risk
associated with the waste dump is also reduced because a stronger
waste dump is constructed and therefore poses less long-term risk to
those who must be near the dump. In addition, with proper binder
selection the effluents forom the dump should be reduced and less
harmful to the surrounding environment.
Another beneficial effect of co-disposal is that there is less water
used by the mine than with conventional tailings systems. In conven-
tional tailings systems, there is evaporation of water from the tailings
pond and also the water that runs into the tailings pond can be con-
taminated by mixing with water in the pond, thus making the water
unusable for other water users. With co-disposal the tailings are thick-
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Figure 6. Layering of tailings on the dump face
Table 2. Summary of Different Tailings Co-disposal Methods
ened to a higher solids density prior to disposal. This eliminates the
pool of water and there is very little likelihood of contamination. For
the co-disposal case of Esquel, it is estimated that at least 100 gal-
lons per minute additional fresh water will be available for other uses
in comparison to a conventional tailings containment system.
In the case of Esquel, and probably many other high-stripping
ratio sites, the net effects on the environment will be reduced and
therefore the effects on post operational uses will be greatly reduced
making the a site more valuable for post operational activities.
CONCLUSION
Tailings co-disposal can offer a significant reduction in short-
term and long-term environmental liability, land disturbance, closure
costs, and negative public image associated with conventional tail-
ings impoundments. The resulting co-disposal dump can be as safe
or safer, depending on binder addition as a conventional waste dump,
and in the case of alkaline tailings in a potentially acidic waste dump,
the net chemistry can be less likely to produce acid rock drainage.
Mines that are best suited for using this system are mines with high
ore to waste stripping ratios and mines that are restricted in the
amount of surface area that can be disturbed.
The tailings co-disposal system should be added to the meth-
ods that are considered for the tailing disposal is mines throughout
the world. Mines that are best suited for using this system are mines
with high ore to waste stripping ratios and mines that are restricted in
the amount of surface area that can be disturbed.
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