Synergising water and energy requirements to improve sustainability performance in mine tailings management. (1st October 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Adiansyah, Joni Safaat; Rosano, Michele; Vink, Sue; Keir, Greg; Stokes, Jason R.
• Is Part Of: Journal of cleaner production. Volume 133(2016:Oct.)
• Page Start: 5
• Page End: 17
• Publication Date: 2016-10-01
• Subjects: Mine tailings management -- Rheology -- Hierarchical system model -- Water and energy consumption; Factory and trade waste -- Management -- Periodicals; Manufactures -- Environmental aspects -- Periodicals; Déchets industriels -- Gestion -- Périodiques; Usines -- Aspect de l'environnement -- Périodiques; 628.5
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jclepro.2016.05.100
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0959-6526

Abstract

Abstract: Mining is a water and energy intensive industry, and reducing water and energy consumption are two important issues in the quest for more sustainable industrial production. The aim of this paper is to assess the correlation between water and energy requirements in various tailings disposal strategies (on a per cent solids-based analysis). Two main methods are used: rheology testing and a system modelling approach. A coal mine site in Australia was chosen as a case study to apply five tailings disposal options. These five options are differentiated by the percentage of solids in the tailings ranging from 30% to 70%. The rheology analysis indicated that the coal mine tailings with 65–70% solids are not pumpable and these two options are beyond the scope of this study. The results of the analyses show that the optimal scheme process in terms of water saving, water management, and energy consumption involved tailings with 50% mass solids. The implementation of this option resulted in both lower water transport (15, 532 ML/y) and energy consumption (34.7 TJ/y). This option also reduced the overall flows of water to the Tailings Storage Facility by 30%. Highlights: Proper management of water and energy can reduce the negative impacts of mining. Interactions between water and energy in tailings management were analyzed in detail. Coal mine tailings with various different mass percent solids were studied. Optimal strategies for water and energy conservation and management suggested. Tailings with 50% solids reduce the overall water flow to the TSF by 30%.