Abstract
This case study discusses a uniquely challenging design and implementation reclaimed tailings paste fill project. The mine operator identified the need for paste fill in a new ore zone and chose to refashion an incomplete hydraulic fill plant into a reclaimed tailings paste fill plant. A partially complete 800m borehole was planned to be utilised however many challenges were encountered in the completion of the borehole. The borehole was abandonded at late stages in the project and an overland pumping and shaft pipe system was engineered to tie into the already complete underground paste reticulation. Underground distribution pushes the limits of gravity distribution with almost 3km of horizontal pipework with only 800m of gravity head available.
Design and implementation was completed on a fast-track schedule which presented many challenges in undertaking design whilst implementing and preparing for operation in keeping with the stringtent requirements of a top-tier mining company. The overall system design pushes the engineering limits of generating quality paste fill from reclaim tailings and transporting it through an arduous pumping and gravity reticulation network where small changes in rheology have dire consequences on the flow of paste.