Mechanical and Rheological Properties of Cemented Tailings Backfill

A special issue of Minerals (ISSN 2075-163X). This special issue belongs to the section "Environmental Mineralogy and Biogeochemistry".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 20 January 2025 | Viewed by 2142

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
Department of Civil Engineering, University of Ottawa, 161 Colonel by, Ottawa, ON K1N 6N5, Canada
Interests: mine waste management; seismic geotechnical engineering; mining geotechnical engineering

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Guest Editor
Department of Civil Engineering, University of New Brunswick, Fredericton, NB E3B5A3, Canada
Interests: deep geological repository (DGR); cemented paste backfill technology (CPB); engineered barrier system (Sand-Bentonite); underground storage of natural gas; geothermal energy

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Cemented tailings backfill (CTB) or cemented paste backfill (CPB) is a novel, sustainable, and environmentally friendly technology for managing waste materials from mining operations, such as tailings. This method involves mixing mine waste material with binders, such as cement, and water to create a stable backfill for underground mining openings (stopes). It provides secondary support for these stopes and minimizes the risk of ground subsidence in the mine area.

During the transportation of CTB material from the paste plant to the mine stope, the rheology of the CTB material is affected by several factors, including transportation time, temperature variation, binder type, and chemical composition. Inappropriate rheological properties can lead to the destabilization of CTB flowability through the delivery system. This can result in significant financial losses due to pipeline clogging caused by unexpected hardening of CPB during transportation and delays in the mining operations. These factors also impact the mechanical strength of CTB, which significantly influences its performance after placement in the mine stope.

This Special Issue aims to highlight the crucial factors that affect the mechanical and rheological properties of cemented tailings backfill. Understanding these properties is essential for optimizing the design and performance of backfill systems, enhancing mine safety, and minimizing environmental impacts. The research contributions in this issue explore key aspects such as strength, deformability, flow behavior, and durability of cemented tailings backfill, shedding light on innovative techniques and materials for more efficient and sustainable mining practices.

Dr. Imad Alainachi
Dr. Othman Nasir
Guest Editors

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Keywords

  • mine
  • mine waste
  • cemented tailing backfill
  • rheology
  • yield stress
  • viscosity
  • temperature
  • cement
  • hydration
  • sustainable

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Published Papers (2 papers)

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Research

25 pages, 7728 KiB  
Article
Experimental Investigation of Recycling Cement Kiln Dust (CKD) as a Co-Binder Material in Cemented Paste Backfill (CPB) Made with Copper Tailings
by Ali Y. Al-Bakri, Haitham M. Ahmed and Mohammed A. Hefni
Minerals 2024, 14(8), 750; https://doi.org/10.3390/min14080750 - 25 Jul 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 830
Abstract
Cement production may involve excessive use of natural resources and have negative environmental impacts, as energy consumption and CO2 emissions can cause air pollution and climate change. Cement kiln dust (CKD), a by-product waste material, is also a primary issue associated with [...] Read more.
Cement production may involve excessive use of natural resources and have negative environmental impacts, as energy consumption and CO2 emissions can cause air pollution and climate change. Cement kiln dust (CKD), a by-product waste material, is also a primary issue associated with cement production. Utilizing CKD in mining applications is a pathway to eco-sustainable solutions. Cemented paste backfill (CPB) made with mine tailings is an efficient method for void backfilling in underground mines. Therefore, this study investigated the eco-sustainable utilization of CKD as a co-binder material that can partially replace cement in CPB prepared with copper tailings. At 7, 14, 28, 56, and 90-day curing times, the experimental campaign measured the physical and mechanical parameters of the cured CPB samples, including density, UCS, and elastic modulus (stiffness). Additionally, the CPB-cured mixes were analyzed using XRF, X-ray XRD, SEM, and EDX techniques to link the mineral phases and microstructure to mechanical performance. Four proportions (5, 10, 15, and 20%) of CKD represented in 75 samples were prepared to replace ordinary Portland cement (OPC) in the CPB mixtures, in addition to the reference mix (control) with 0% CKD. As all combinations exceed the compressive strength of CPB required for achieving stability in underground mines, the results showed that CKD could be utilized advantageously as a partial substitute for OPC with a proportion of up to 20% in the CPB mixture. When tested after 90 days, the combination modified with 5% CKD exhibited comparatively higher compressive strength than the control mixture. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Mechanical and Rheological Properties of Cemented Tailings Backfill)
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21 pages, 6104 KiB  
Article
Dynamic Loading Characteristics of Cemented Paste Backfill with Recycled Rubber
by Yang Li, Xiaolong Wang, Xiaobo Song and Jie Yang
Minerals 2024, 14(6), 553; https://doi.org/10.3390/min14060553 - 27 May 2024
Viewed by 754
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of the use of rubber powder from tire recovery on the dynamic loading performance of CPB. Finally, it is concluded that using recycled rubber material to backfill mine paste is helpful in reducing [...] Read more.
The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of the use of rubber powder from tire recovery on the dynamic loading performance of CPB. Finally, it is concluded that using recycled rubber material to backfill mine paste is helpful in reducing waste tire pollution and improving the impact resistance of the backfill body. The dynamic compressive strength, Dynamic Increase Factor (DIF), peak dynamic load strain, and dynamic load elastic modulus of the samples composed of slag, Portland cement, wastewater, and rubber powder were determined. Through the analysis of the experimental data, it can be seen that the recycled rubber reduces the dynamic compressive strength and DIF of the specimen but increases the peak dynamic load strain and dynamic load elastic modulus and other characteristics, and enhances the ability of the filled body to absorb elastic strain energy. The results show that recycled rubber can increase the deformation ability of the filler and improve the impact resistance of the filler. The results of this study provide valuable information and industrial applications for the effective management of solid waste based on sustainable development and the circular economy. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Mechanical and Rheological Properties of Cemented Tailings Backfill)
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