Optimal design and experimentation of full tailings and cementitious materials: a case study of a lead-zinc mine in China

Abstract As mineral resources become increasingly scarce and environmental awareness grows, mining companies urgently need cost-effective and environmentally friendly filling methods for mines. The use of ultrafine tailings combined with various binders at different ratios plays a key role in determ...

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Main Authors: Jiang Guo, Yanni Yu, Jiachuang Wang
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nature Portfolio 2024-11-01
Series:Scientific Reports
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-81434-7
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author Jiang Guo
Yanni Yu
Jiachuang Wang
author_facet Jiang Guo
Yanni Yu
Jiachuang Wang
author_sort Jiang Guo
collection DOAJ
description Abstract As mineral resources become increasingly scarce and environmental awareness grows, mining companies urgently need cost-effective and environmentally friendly filling methods for mines. The use of ultrafine tailings combined with various binders at different ratios plays a key role in determining the rheological properties and mechanical strength of cemented paste backfill. This paper provides parameter basis for the design of a mine filling system, firstly, different filling materials and proportions were selected, and basic physicochemical property tests, along with cementitious material analysis, were conducted to determine the key physical and chemical properties and mineral composition of the materials. Next, the rheological properties, transport performance, and bleeding characteristics of the filling slurry were tested to assess the feasibility and process requirements for self-flow transport through pipelines. The results indicated that the transportation performance of the slurry was better when gelling powder was used as the binder. Finally, the compressive, shear, and tensile strengths of the filling blocks were tested under varying slurry mass concentrations and cement-tailings ratios at different curing times. This helped identify the optimal filling concentration and proportions needed to meet the strength requirements of the filling structure. The final study found that the sample with a cement-tailings ratio of 1:6, a mass concentration of 68%, and a gelling powder as the binder reached the strength requirements for mine filling after 28 days. This research offers valuable insights for other mining companies seeking to implement similar environmentally sustainable and cost-effective filling technologies, promoting wider adoption and advancements in the field.
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spelling doaj-art-ede1b8c8d4e54dbb9fe2ad5dec0ae1702025-08-20T02:51:15ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222024-11-0114112010.1038/s41598-024-81434-7Optimal design and experimentation of full tailings and cementitious materials: a case study of a lead-zinc mine in ChinaJiang Guo0Yanni Yu1Jiachuang Wang2School of Resources and Safety Engineering, Central South UniversitySchool of Resources and Safety Engineering, Central South UniversitySchool of Resources and Safety Engineering, Central South UniversityAbstract As mineral resources become increasingly scarce and environmental awareness grows, mining companies urgently need cost-effective and environmentally friendly filling methods for mines. The use of ultrafine tailings combined with various binders at different ratios plays a key role in determining the rheological properties and mechanical strength of cemented paste backfill. This paper provides parameter basis for the design of a mine filling system, firstly, different filling materials and proportions were selected, and basic physicochemical property tests, along with cementitious material analysis, were conducted to determine the key physical and chemical properties and mineral composition of the materials. Next, the rheological properties, transport performance, and bleeding characteristics of the filling slurry were tested to assess the feasibility and process requirements for self-flow transport through pipelines. The results indicated that the transportation performance of the slurry was better when gelling powder was used as the binder. Finally, the compressive, shear, and tensile strengths of the filling blocks were tested under varying slurry mass concentrations and cement-tailings ratios at different curing times. This helped identify the optimal filling concentration and proportions needed to meet the strength requirements of the filling structure. The final study found that the sample with a cement-tailings ratio of 1:6, a mass concentration of 68%, and a gelling powder as the binder reached the strength requirements for mine filling after 28 days. This research offers valuable insights for other mining companies seeking to implement similar environmentally sustainable and cost-effective filling technologies, promoting wider adoption and advancements in the field.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-81434-7Full tailingsFilling slurrySedimentation and concentrationConveying performanceStrength test
spellingShingle Jiang Guo
Yanni Yu
Jiachuang Wang
Optimal design and experimentation of full tailings and cementitious materials: a case study of a lead-zinc mine in China
Scientific Reports
Full tailings
Filling slurry
Sedimentation and concentration
Conveying performance
Strength test
title Optimal design and experimentation of full tailings and cementitious materials: a case study of a lead-zinc mine in China
title_full Optimal design and experimentation of full tailings and cementitious materials: a case study of a lead-zinc mine in China
title_fullStr Optimal design and experimentation of full tailings and cementitious materials: a case study of a lead-zinc mine in China
title_full_unstemmed Optimal design and experimentation of full tailings and cementitious materials: a case study of a lead-zinc mine in China
title_short Optimal design and experimentation of full tailings and cementitious materials: a case study of a lead-zinc mine in China
title_sort optimal design and experimentation of full tailings and cementitious materials a case study of a lead zinc mine in china
topic Full tailings
Filling slurry
Sedimentation and concentration
Conveying performance
Strength test
url https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-81434-7
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AT yanniyu optimaldesignandexperimentationoffulltailingsandcementitiousmaterialsacasestudyofaleadzincmineinchina
AT jiachuangwang optimaldesignandexperimentationoffulltailingsandcementitiousmaterialsacasestudyofaleadzincmineinchina