Evaluating the use of dry-stacked tailings for environmental management at mines in North Queensland

Seepage of wastewater on mine sites presents significant environmental and engineering risks, particularly in acidic and metalliferous drainage, and the potential for dam failure. Tailings Storage Facilities (TSFs) are a crucial infrastructure asset in the management of mine wastes internationally. TSFs receive a combination of mineral and wastewater products after the extraction of economic minerals (e.g. gold, copper, zinc, etc.) in the form of a slurry that requires careful management. Removing processing waters and returning it back to the industrial process reduces the water demand from a project and minimizes the risk of seepage through the storage of "dry" tailings. For this project, you will review and investigate dry-stacking methods and technologies for possible implementation at a mine site in the northwest Qld region. Stage 1 involves a desktop/GIS/laboratory-based literature review and investigation into the suitability of dry-stack tailings from an environmental risk perspective for a mine site considering using dry tailings to reduce its environmental and engineering risk.