TAILINGS OPTIMISED WITH THICKENER TECH

BALANCING ENVIRONMENTAL RESPONSIBILITY WITH OPERATIONAL EFFICIENCY IS A GROWING CONCERN FOR MINING OPERATIONS WORLDWIDE, WITH TAILINGS MANAGEMENT A KEY ASPECT.

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Tailings management is a growing concern for mining operations around the world, balancing environmental responsibility with operational efficiency.

As a leader in mineral processing, McLanahan provides insight into how different thickener technologies can optimise tailings management, improve water recovery, and enhance site sustainability.

Thickeners are essential for liquid-solid separation in mining operations, reducing the volume of slurry material sent to the settling pond or tailings storage facilities (TSFs) while recovering valuable process water.

The right thickener can help mines reduce pond size or eliminate the need for ponds or TSFs altogether, thereby reducing their environmental footprint, streamlining operations, and lowering permitting challenges.

Understanding thickener types

Most thickener types operate by using a chemical polymer, such as a flocculant, to agglomerate solid particles in the slurry, allowing them to settle and discharge while the clear liquid overflows and is collected in a storage tank.

There are variations in thickener design and performance to achieve different process goals. McLanahan outlines the primary thickener types and their applications.

High-rate thickeners

High-rate thickeners are commonly used in mining operations to achieve moderate underflow density and high liquid recovery with relatively low chemical usage.

These units feature a sloped floor and a rotating rake mechanism to assist with compacting the mud bed.