Mining waste disposal

Introduction. The problem of ore mining and metal extraction remains pressing. Given the extractable value of ores, an inevitable consequence of their beneficiation is the need to store up to 90–95% of the waste generated after extracting valuable components from the ores. At the same time, physical and mechanical geotechnologies effectively separate minerals ranging from 10 to 150 μm in size. Valuable minerals of other sizes constitute process losses and are stored in tailings dams along with the minerals of the rocks that make up the deposit’s ores. Man-made mining waste, particularly ore beneficiation tailings, withdrawn from production in previous years, given the potential of the mineral resources they contain, are gaining value in the supply-demand chain under current economic conditions. The objective of this research is to develop a mechanism and technology for cost-effectively exploiting the potential of aged tailings from the beneficiation of W-Mo ores at the Tyrnyauz deposit. Research methods and materials. Optical microscopy, X-ray diffraction analysis, and atomic absorption spectrometry were used. Engineering and geological properties of the mature tailings were determined in accordance with GOST 12536-79. The floatability of the tailings was determined through field experiments on tailings and primary ore samples, with statistical processing of the results. Research results: A mechanism for handling ore beneficiation waste and a technology for its costeffective, integrated, waste-free use during the backfilling of mined-out areas and in the construction industry after the recovery of strategically important metals–tungsten and molybdenum–have been developed. Discussion of Research results. It has been established that flotation recovery of technogenicscheelite from tailings is possible with flotation using a three-stream design, interconnected by a rough concentrate, and flotation under non-isothermal conditions created by the heat flow from the gas phase onto the wetting film. It is shown that the effects of Stokes friction, Archimedes’ buoyancy, and gravity on a bubble containing a coolant can be described by a system of differential equations. The solution of this system, using the Runge-Kutta numerical method, demonstrates that the heat of condensation of the coolant significantly influences the flotation result. Conclusion. Integrated waste-free recycling of old tailings is possible with an economic effect, provided that a hardening mixture is prepared from the de-metalized portion of old tailings during deposit development using geotechnologies with hydraulic backfilling, which contributes to improved quality and completeness of reserve recovery. After the extraction of the main valuable metals, the tailings can be utilized for the production of cement or cement additives. Proposals for future research. A technology for the combined utilization of mature and current ore beneficiation tailings is needed

Beneficiation · Mineral processing · Mineral resource classification · Mining industry · Tailings · Ergonomics and Human Factors · Mining and Gasification Technologies · Tailings Management and Properties