Numerical Simulation: a Performing Tool for Water Management in Tailings

The mining industry produces very large quantities of fine-grained tailings that are generally disposed of in slurry form into dedicated impoundments. The twofold purpose of these impoundments is to contain the solids and achieve clarification of the process water for re-use. They are increasingly scrutinized with respect to their environmental performances, since they have impacts on both water availability and quality mainly through water exchanges with the aquifer, and with respect to the mechanical stability of their tailings. Currently, it is difficult to have such information through on-line measures. In this article, the authors present a simulation environment for water management in tailings impoundment. It is concluded that computer simulation is a powerful tool for an environmental standpoint as well as for assisting professionals with design and operation of tailings ponds. Key words: simulation, tailings impoundment, water management, tailings mechanical stability