3476
Transforming Tailings Management with the Cavex® DE
Classification Technology and Innovative Processing Strategies
Javier López Guzmán, Jacob Bouke (Job) Kruyswijk, Erik Vlot
Weir Minerals
ABSTRACT: Over the last decade, the mining industry has faced complex production challenges to meet
the demands of the copper market, driven by the advancement of the urgent need for decarbonization, and
the growing global water crisis. These factors have acted as critical catalysts, motivating the search for more
sustainable practices in mining waste management, specifically in the disposal of tailings. The industry has
explored various alternatives such as filtered tailings, mine backfilling, and, more commonly, the construction
of tailings dams using sands with low fines content, derived from the tailings themselves. In this context the
efficient and optimal recovery of water has emerged as a critical component for the viability of mining projects.
Worldwide water scarcity poses a formidable challenge, underscoring the indispensable value of water.
In addressing these challenges, the Cavex ® DE hydrocyclone classification technology has emerged as an effi-
cient solution for tailings classification and the production of sands with minimal fines content. This paper
introduces innovative processing alternatives utilizing Cavex ® DE hydrocyclones. The primary objective of these
‘Discrete Tailings Applications’ is to serve as innovative alternatives for generating high-density slurries or sands
with excellent drainage capacity.
INTRODUCTION
Mine tailings are the inevitable by-product of mining. The
global mining industry currently produces approximately
19 billion cubic metres of tailings annually (Baker et al.
2020 www.worldminetailingsfailures.org). With the grow-
ing demand for metals and minerals, as well as reduced ore
grades, this volume is set to continue rising (Kruyswijk,
2021). The catastrophic tailings dam failures at Mount
Polley (Canada) in 2014, Samarco (Brazil) in 2015 and
Brumadinho (Brazil) in 2019 serve as stark reminders that
there is still more to be done if we are to achieve the ambi-
tion of zero harm (ICMM, 2024).
A recent study illustrated that the released volume in
case of a failure is related to the stored volume of tailings
(Stark et al., 2022). Although the failure modes may vary,
water plays a critical role in all major tailings storage facility
(TSF) failures through internal erosion or static liquefac-
tion. Maintaining optimal drainage is crucial for ensuring
dam stability, regardless of the tailings deposition method
applied. Stability risk can be controlled by reducing the
stored volume, and by increasing the draining capacity of
the containing embankments and fill. An example of a tail-
ings management methodology applying these principles
is hydraulic dewatered stacking (HDS), a technique devel-
oped by Anglo American (Newman et al., 2023).
Transforming Tailings Management with the Cavex® DE
Classification Technology and Innovative Processing Strategies
Javier López Guzmán, Jacob Bouke (Job) Kruyswijk, Erik Vlot
Weir Minerals
ABSTRACT: Over the last decade, the mining industry has faced complex production challenges to meet
the demands of the copper market, driven by the advancement of the urgent need for decarbonization, and
the growing global water crisis. These factors have acted as critical catalysts, motivating the search for more
sustainable practices in mining waste management, specifically in the disposal of tailings. The industry has
explored various alternatives such as filtered tailings, mine backfilling, and, more commonly, the construction
of tailings dams using sands with low fines content, derived from the tailings themselves. In this context the
efficient and optimal recovery of water has emerged as a critical component for the viability of mining projects.
Worldwide water scarcity poses a formidable challenge, underscoring the indispensable value of water.
In addressing these challenges, the Cavex ® DE hydrocyclone classification technology has emerged as an effi-
cient solution for tailings classification and the production of sands with minimal fines content. This paper
introduces innovative processing alternatives utilizing Cavex ® DE hydrocyclones. The primary objective of these
‘Discrete Tailings Applications’ is to serve as innovative alternatives for generating high-density slurries or sands
with excellent drainage capacity.
INTRODUCTION
Mine tailings are the inevitable by-product of mining. The
global mining industry currently produces approximately
19 billion cubic metres of tailings annually (Baker et al.
2020 www.worldminetailingsfailures.org). With the grow-
ing demand for metals and minerals, as well as reduced ore
grades, this volume is set to continue rising (Kruyswijk,
2021). The catastrophic tailings dam failures at Mount
Polley (Canada) in 2014, Samarco (Brazil) in 2015 and
Brumadinho (Brazil) in 2019 serve as stark reminders that
there is still more to be done if we are to achieve the ambi-
tion of zero harm (ICMM, 2024).
A recent study illustrated that the released volume in
case of a failure is related to the stored volume of tailings
(Stark et al., 2022). Although the failure modes may vary,
water plays a critical role in all major tailings storage facility
(TSF) failures through internal erosion or static liquefac-
tion. Maintaining optimal drainage is crucial for ensuring
dam stability, regardless of the tailings deposition method
applied. Stability risk can be controlled by reducing the
stored volume, and by increasing the draining capacity of
the containing embankments and fill. An example of a tail-
ings management methodology applying these principles
is hydraulic dewatered stacking (HDS), a technique devel-
oped by Anglo American (Newman et al., 2023).