CIL CN-Detox Gold Tailings Paste Backfill

We installed three CX6-120 ceramic disc vacuum filtration systems to dewater cyanide detoxified Carbon-In-Leach gold tailings to support implementation of a paste backfill circuit at an underground mine in southwestern Ghana. The filters were installed as part of a larger capital project to supply cemented pastefill to underground long-hole stopes.

Year

2020 - Operating

Location

Tarkwa, Ghana

Size

Qty. 3, CX6-120 (120 m2) filters

Technology

Ceramic Disc Filtration

Highlights

Installation of three CX6-120 ceramic disc vacuum filtration systems for a finely grained gold tailings for use within a paste backfill circuit.

The project combines tailings filtration and paste backfill techniques to enhance water recovery, tailings management and underground mining stability/cycle times.

Challenge

The project was delivered amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, requiring integration of both physical and digital assets to ensure successful delivery. We commissioned the plant in-country despite challenges with personnel mobility, physical quarantines, and unavailability of skilled labour/resources.

Solution

We installed three CX6-120 (120 m2) ceramic disc vacuum filtration system for use in dewatering of the cyanide detoxified CIL gold tailings produced by this underground mining operation in southwestern Ghana.

Benefit

By combining filtration and paste backfill techniques, surface slurried tailings disposal is now limited. This project has enhanced fresh process water recovery for the concentrator and resulted in better underground efficiency due to transitioning away from cemented-rockfill.