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support environmental
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Originally published in
Mining Environmental
Management
October 2007
While paste is typically mixed using large, purpose-built machines, here it is being
prepared using standard construction equipment for injection underground to backfill
disused coal-mine workings under a housing development near the town of Canmore, in
western Canada
THE LAYOUT OF THIS ARTICLE HAS BEEN CHANGED FOR THE PURPOSES OF THIS REPRINT.
Using paste technology to support
environmental goals
U
RSA Major Minerals Inc.
wanted to reduce the
geographic footprint and
manage the water impacts at its
Shakespeare Project located near
Sudbury, Canada. The
Shakespeare Project is based on
a near-surface nickel, copper and
platinum body discovered in 2002.
Planning a 4,500
tonne/day open pit mining
operation and on-site processing
plant involved considering several
waste-management options, says
URSA Major President and CEO
Richard Sutcliffe.
One, proposed by consulting
firm Golder Associates, involved
paste technology, which is the
process of thickening material
from a slurry to a consistency
approaching that of toothpaste.
Recent improvements in paste
technology, and a growing A slump test is one way to determine the consistency of paste of paste, which is
a thickened mixture of tailings and water
understanding of both where it can
be used effectively and where
other disposal methods may be
Technology Ltd. group used its percent solids by mass, pastes
better, have resulted in a bigger
laboratory facilities to test and can range between 65 and 80
role for paste in managing mines
characterize the materials to percent solids.
environmental impacts.
evaluate their potential for co- Thickening tailings from 30 to
At Shakespeare, which is now
disposal. Golder PasteTec and 75 percent solids reduces the
going through the environmental
Golder Associates were amount of water in the tailings
permitting process, plans are
responsible for the overall design mass by about 85 percent.
MINING ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT / OCTOBER 2007
ABOUT GOLDER
At Golder Associates we strive to be the most respected global group
specializing in ground engineering and environmental services. With
Golder, clients gain the advantage of working with highly skilled
engineers, scientists, project managers and other technical specialists
who are committed to helping them succeed. By building strong
relationships and meeting the needs of clients, our people have
created one of the most trusted professional services firms in the
world.
ABOUT AUTHOR
Susan Longo, P.Eng., MBA, is a member of Golder Paste Technology Ltd., a division
of Golder Associates Ltd., based in the Sudbury, Canada office. Tel. 1.705.524.6861;
slongo@golder.com.