DEHYDRATED TAILINGS STORAGE TECHNOLOGY BOZYMCHAK MINING PLANT

Abstract

This article describes a unique dry storage technology for dewatered tailings at the Bozymchak mine, located in a seismically active area (magnitude 8). The process involves thickening the pulp and filtering it in ceramic vacuum filters to a moisture content of 15%. The semi-dry material is then transported by conveyors to the upper and lower tailings storage facilities. The author describes in detail the design of the pioneer dams, the drainage system using Taipar geotextiles, and the staged bottom-up filling method to preserve the waterproofing geomembrane.