The Journal of The Southern African Institute of Mining and Metallurgy

A pilot plant for testing high-density thickened tailings was commissioned in January 2011 for the Chuquicamata Project in northern Chile, owned and operated by CODELCO. The pilot plant was designed and operated by a joint venture consisting of Knight Piésold (KP), Paterson & Cooke (P&C,) and EIC Ingenieros (EIC). The objectives of the pilot plant were to determine the design parameters for implementing a high-density thickened tailings discharge system within Tranque Talabre, the existing and active tailings storage facility. The long-term plan for tailings storage within Talabre is to minimize water losses, and optimize storage capacity and life of the facility, while at the same time reducing operating costs. Due to the size of Talabre (5 000 ha), it is feasible to reduce retaining wall heights by increasing the beach slope and in situ density and applying a high-density thickened tailings discharge system. The fundamental objectives of the pilot plant were to determine the deposition behaviour of the tailings at concentrations of 57% (as currently produced), 63, 65, and 68% solids (w/w) and to assess thickener performance to achieve these concentrations. The key components of the pilot plant are summarized as follows and identified i