Grant: Collaborative Research and Development Grants
École Polytechnique de Montréal
$296,050.00
Optimization of the use of waste rock inclusions in tailings impoundments to improve their short and long-term performance
EF 2016-17
Résumé
The research will focus on an innovative method for the storage tailings and waste rock that results in improved environmental and geotechnical performance and thus reduces major risks associated with mining. The method consists of the co-disposal of tailings and waste rock such that continuous inclusions of stronger, more permeable and more rigid waste rock are placed in tandem with tailings deposition. The inclusions accelerate consolidation, reinforce the impoundment and reduce the quantity of tailings released in the event of a rupture. This technique is currently in use at one mine, the Canadian Malartic Mine, and is being considered at other sites. There remain areas of uncertainty regarding the use of inclusions, including for instance the applicability of analytical and numerical methods of evaluation and design as well as practical considerations such as the amount and effects of tailings infiltration into the inclusions.The primary point of reference for this project will be instrumented waste rock inclusions that are currently being constructed at the Canadian Malartic Mine. The research will consist of a combination of in situ monitoring, laboratory testing, physical modelling, and numerical analysis with the objectives of: 1) Mine waste characterization and behavior; 2) Tailings and waste rock interaction near inclusions; 3) Field monitoring and data analysis; 4) Constitutive modeling and numerical simulations; and 5) Optimization strategy and guidelines for the design of inclusions.The project will have a duration of 4 years and will be supported by 7 industrial partners who will be contributing $120,00 in cash annually as well as a total of $778,000 of in-kind contributions. A total of 25 HQP will be trained over the course of the research.The research will benefit the mining industry and Canada by providing a means to reduce the geoenvironmental risks associated with mine wastes and by keeping Canada at the forefront of mine wastes disposal technology.
Programme
Collaborative Research and Development Grants
Bénéficiaire
Emplacement
Quebec, Canada
Type de bénéficiaire
Academia
Type
Grant
Source
NSERC's Awards Data
Tel que publié
Application id
477461-2014
Name nom
James, Michael
Department département
Génies Civil, géologique et des mines
Organization id
64
Institution établissement
École Polytechnique de Montréal
Province en
Québec
Province fr
Québec
Country en
CANADA
Country fr
CANADA
Fiscal year exercice financier
2016
Competition year année de concours
2014
Award amount
296050
Program id
CRDPJ
Program name en
Collaborative Research and Development Grants
Program name fr
Subventions de recherche et développement coopérative
Group en
Research partnerships programs
Group fr
Programmes de partenariat
Committee code
96
Committee name en
RPP Internal Decision Cttee
Committee name fr
Cté de décision interne - PPR
Area of application code
902
Area of application group en
Commercial services
Area of application group fr
Services commerciaux
Area of application en
Waste, waste management and recycling
Area of application fr
Déchets, gestion des déchets et recyclage
Research subject code
1401
Research subject group en
Mining and mineral processing
Research subject group fr
Génie minier et minéral
Research subject en
Mining engineering
Research subject fr
Génie minier
Partie
2
Nb partie
4
Application title
Optimization of the use of waste rock inclusions in tailings impoundments to improve their short and long-term performance
Keyword
NSERC
Application summary
The research will focus on an innovative method for the storage tailings and waste rock that results in improved environmental and geotechnical performance and thus reduces major risks associated with mining. The method consists of the co-disposal of tailings and waste rock such that continuous inclusions of stronger, more permeable and more rigid waste rock are placed in tandem with tailings deposition. The inclusions accelerate consolidation, reinforce the impoundment and reduce the quantity of tailings released in the event of a rupture. This technique is currently in use at one mine, the Canadian Malartic Mine, and is being considered at other sites. There remain areas of uncertainty regarding the use of inclusions, including for instance the applicability of analytical and numerical methods of evaluation and design as well as practical considerations such as the amount and effects of tailings infiltration into the inclusions.The primary point of reference for this project will be instrumented waste rock inclusions that are currently being constructed at the Canadian Malartic Mine. The research will consist of a combination of in situ monitoring, laboratory testing, physical modelling, and numerical analysis with the objectives of: 1) Mine waste characterization and behavior; 2) Tailings and waste rock interaction near inclusions; 3) Field monitoring and data analysis; 4) Constitutive modeling and numerical simulations; and 5) Optimization strategy and guidelines for the design of inclusions.The project will have a duration of 4 years and will be supported by 7 industrial partners who will be contributing $120,00 in cash annually as well as a total of $778,000 of in-kind contributions. A total of 25 HQP will be trained over the course of the research.The research will benefit the mining industry and Canada by providing a means to reduce the geoenvironmental risks associated with mine wastes and by keeping Canada at the forefront of mine wastes disposal technology.
