COMMITMENT TO CONTINUOUS PRODUCT INNOVATION

These services combined with thorough client project liaison and CECMS can determine the most appropriate and effective combination of laboratory and field testing necessary to offer maximum support to your individual project needs.

Development of filtered tailings concepts include review of site topography, tailings production quantities and schedules, mine waste rock quantities, hydrometeorology data, geochemical, and environmental/administrative siting constraints for the project.

Concept development includes the evaluation of alternative locations and determination of a single preferred concept for storage. Water balance including run-off and contact water would be included in this evaluation.

CECMS can complete the following laboratory tests to support design:

CECMS can complete the following laboratory tests to support thickening sizing and design:

• Material characterization (XRD, Rietveld, Particle Size Distribution, Surface properties, Bet surface area)
• Primary flocculation scoping:
  • Optimum flocculant selection and dosage
  • Supernatant quality and flocculation characteristics
  • Tailings thickener underflow characteristics
  • Thickener dimension and sizing
  • Rheological properties and project parameters
• Secondary flocculation:
  • Optimum flocculant selection and dosage
  • Flocculation kinetics and addition method
  • Secondary flocculation procedure and characterization
  • Rheological properties of secondary product

CECMS has both the competency and experience to assess the testing procedures and provide an accurate interpretation of the results.

The ability to effectively transport a dewatered tailings material can dramatically impact the operational viability of a process. Bottlenecking due to the lack of convey-ability and/or compact-ability is a common outcome due to variation in mineral processing and geological characteristics.

By testing this variability and the impact of upset conditions on the process, CECMS can design dewatering projects that conform to accepted practices of operational excellence.

CECMS is proficient at bench and pilot-scale vacuum filtration testing for cloth and ceramic membranes used on disc and belt filters. After measuring filtration throughput rates and achievable residual moisture content in the filter-cake, CECMS collates the information with its proprietary library of data on similar materials. By trending this information, CECMS can produce a reliable scale-up factor to efficiently size the necessary capital equipment. Capital and operating costs are projected to form the basis of the selection matrix and business case.

Tailings dewatering is inherently linked with water, and its associated issues. CECMS has access to a suite of technologies that can monitor and treat the flow of water generated through the dewatering function, either for re-use or discharge into the environment.

CECMS can complete the following laboratory tests to water monitoring/treatment and design:

• Characterization of wastewater management issues
• Bench and field scale testing of wastewater treatment technology
• Development and bench scale testing of chemical treatment programs
• Design of treatment equipment to meet water quality objectives
• ARD prediction testing