Effect of overflow tailings properties on cemented paste backfill

Abstract

This paper presents the results of an experimental study on the unconfined compressive strength (UCS), indirect tensile strength (ITS), microstructural properties and environmental impacts of overflow tailings (OFT) cemented paste backfill (CPB). The test results show that the poor graded OFT contain 47.15% particles with size below 20 μm, and high content of oxide and sulfide. The slump of fresh CPB mixture ranges from 19.50 cm to 21.60 cm, and its flowability meets the transport requirements. After being cured for 28 days, the UCS and ITS of CPB are less than 2 MPa and 0.5 MPa, respectively. Meanwhile, CPB exhibited low residual strength and high brittleness. The low strength is mainly due to the use of fine OFT. The results show that sulphate also has negative effect on strength and dissolve calcium silicate hydrate (C-S-H) while promoting the formation of secondary products (gypsum and ettringite), leading to generate cracks and decrease UCS at 28 curing time of some CPB mixtures. Increasing the cement content and solid mass concentration is the effective methods to improve the mechanical properties of CPB. The nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) tests show that fine OFT with low osmotic coefficient (3.10e-06 cm/s) and high sulfur content cause high porosity from 25.0% to 33.1% of CPB, and the increase of the porosity is observed a negative influence on the UCS, but no obvious relationship between ITS and porosity is obtained. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive spectrometry (EDS) tests show that OFT particles were covered by C-S-H gel which can enhance the compactness and integrity of CPB. The SEM tests also found secondary products gypsum and ettringite. These finding suggest that OFT can be suitably used as backfill material to fill the underground stopes.

Keywords: Cemented paste backfill; Environment; Mechanical properties; Overflow tailings; Recycling.