3480 XXXI International Mineral Processing Congress 2024 Proceedings/Washington, DC/Sep 29–Oct 3
The improved level of dewatering combined with the
potential to recover a usable product, could reduce the
overall footprint of the tailings storage facility (TSF). The
combination of applied dewatering technologies makes this
flowsheet well-suited for small to moderate-sized mines.
Table 3 provides an indicative mass balance.
Cavex® DE Hydrocyclone Combined with a Thickener
The classification operation for handling large tailings
flows can be enhanced by thickening the overflow product.
While this option achieves a water recovery similar to that
of a thickener and subsequent classification circuit (around
67%), using hydrocyclones with a lower feed solids concen-
tration considerably improves classification efficiency. This
results in sands with fewer fines and a higher mass parti-
tion, leading to improved long-term stability and a reduced
pond size. Refer to Figure 4 for the flowsheet option 2.
Including thickening technology in the flowsheet offers
operational cost benefits but reduces the potential for water
reclamation. Therefore, this flowsheet is well-suited for use
1 3
Fresh Tailings
Water
2
4
5
Water
Figure 3. Proposed flowsheet using Cavex® DE hydrocyclone with a centrifuge decanter
Table 3. Operational data balance of Cavex® DE hydrocyclone with a centrifuge decanter
Tailings Flowsheet
Option N°1
1
Fresh Tailings
2
Cavex® DE
Hydrocyclone Sands
3
Cavex® DE
Hydrocyclone Fines
4
Centrifuge
Discharge
5
Supernate
Solid Flow t/h 1,000 450 550 545 6
Solid Flow m3/h 370 167 204 201.67 2.04
Liquid Flow t/h 1,857 158 1,699 293.19 1,405.84
Liquid Flow m3/h 1,857 158 1,699 293.19 1,405.84
Slurry Flow t/h 2,857 608 2,249 837.69 1,411
Slurry Flow m3/h 2,228 325 1,903 494.86 1,408
Cw [%]35.0 74.0 24.5 65.0 0.4
Cv [%]16.6 51.3 10.7 40.8 0.1
S.G. Solid t/m3 2.70 2.70 2.70 2.70 2.70
Liquid Density t/m3 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00
Slurry Density t/m3 1.28 1.87 1.18 1.69 1.00
Make-Up m3/t 0.45
Water Recovery [%]76%
The improved level of dewatering combined with the
potential to recover a usable product, could reduce the
overall footprint of the tailings storage facility (TSF). The
combination of applied dewatering technologies makes this
flowsheet well-suited for small to moderate-sized mines.
Table 3 provides an indicative mass balance.
Cavex® DE Hydrocyclone Combined with a Thickener
The classification operation for handling large tailings
flows can be enhanced by thickening the overflow product.
While this option achieves a water recovery similar to that
of a thickener and subsequent classification circuit (around
67%), using hydrocyclones with a lower feed solids concen-
tration considerably improves classification efficiency. This
results in sands with fewer fines and a higher mass parti-
tion, leading to improved long-term stability and a reduced
pond size. Refer to Figure 4 for the flowsheet option 2.
Including thickening technology in the flowsheet offers
operational cost benefits but reduces the potential for water
reclamation. Therefore, this flowsheet is well-suited for use
1 3
Fresh Tailings
Water
2
4
5
Water
Figure 3. Proposed flowsheet using Cavex® DE hydrocyclone with a centrifuge decanter
Table 3. Operational data balance of Cavex® DE hydrocyclone with a centrifuge decanter
Tailings Flowsheet
Option N°1
1
Fresh Tailings
2
Cavex® DE
Hydrocyclone Sands
3
Cavex® DE
Hydrocyclone Fines
4
Centrifuge
Discharge
5
Supernate
Solid Flow t/h 1,000 450 550 545 6
Solid Flow m3/h 370 167 204 201.67 2.04
Liquid Flow t/h 1,857 158 1,699 293.19 1,405.84
Liquid Flow m3/h 1,857 158 1,699 293.19 1,405.84
Slurry Flow t/h 2,857 608 2,249 837.69 1,411
Slurry Flow m3/h 2,228 325 1,903 494.86 1,408
Cw [%]35.0 74.0 24.5 65.0 0.4
Cv [%]16.6 51.3 10.7 40.8 0.1
S.G. Solid t/m3 2.70 2.70 2.70 2.70 2.70
Liquid Density t/m3 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00
Slurry Density t/m3 1.28 1.87 1.18 1.69 1.00
Make-Up m3/t 0.45
Water Recovery [%]76%