MICA
Tailings Dewatering

Tailings Dewatering

Removal of water from mill tailings to produce denser slurry, paste, or low‑moisture cake. Objective is to recover water for reuse, improve storage stability, shrink footprint, and reduce closure liabilities.

Purpose

  • Reduce freshwater intake and pumping costs.
  • Reduce risk through dense/filtered tailings enabling dry stacking or high‑density deposition, reducing reliance on large dams.
  • Footprint & closure: Smaller storage volumes, better trafficability, faster capping/rehabilitation.
  • Plant performance: Cleaner recycle water and predictable rheology for consistent deposition.

Common Dewatering Routes

  • Thickening (high‑rate / high‑density / paste)
  • Filtration (vacuum / pressure)
  • Centrifuges
  • Hydrocyclones / desliming
  • Hybrid flowsheets

Key Performance Indicators

  • Water recovery (>90%) and return‑water turbidity/TSS.
  • Cake moisture <10% and filter throughput.
  • Availability & cycle time and specific energy.
  • Reagent consumption and unit cost.
  • Stack stability and environmental dust performance.

Common Challenges

  • Feed variability (PSD, clays) causing moisture and throughput drift.
  • Filter cloth blinding and cycle‑time creep.
  • Scaling/fouling from hardness or organics.
  • Balancing energy/reagents with water recovery and risk reduction.
  • Dust management for dry stacks.

Emerging Approaches

  • Large‑format, fast‑cycle pressure filters.
  • Model‑predictive/AI control.
  • Co‑disposal and filtered co‑stacking with waste rock.
  • Additives/binders for dust control.
  • Online filter cake moisture measurement.

Challenge Specifics

Feed moisture content

65%.

Size range

<50 μm; 80% of particles between 8 μm and 20 μm.

Clay content

8%–10%.

Operational throughput

1,500 t/hr.

Bench scale demonstration

up to 100 kg/hr.

Pilot scale demonstration

100 t/hr.

Target moisture

<10%.

Copper sulphide ore particles.

Prospective solution intended to be installed after a high‑rate thickener.

Frequently Asked Questions

Ready to Innovate?

If your company has a solution to this challenge, we encourage you to get in touch and submit your proposal.

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For assistance or inquiries about this challenge, please contact:
Lorelei Ratushniak
Mine Operator Engagement