Geomechanics and Engineering A

Volume 19, Number 5, 2019, pages 383-392

DOI: 10.12989/gae.2019.19.5.383

An alternative upstream method for the Zhelamuqing tailings impoundment construction of a Copper Mine in China

Zuoan Wei, Yulong Chen, Guangzhi Yin, Yonghao Yang and Weimin Shu

Abstract

How to safely and economically dispose mining tailings is a challenge to mine operators. This paper presents an alternative upstream method for tailings dam construction, termed as the template construction method (TCM), which has been successfully implemented at Zhelamuqing tailings impoundment since 2004. By the beginning of 2015, the tailings dam wall had reached 95 m in height for the 46 upstream raises, with the total height of the dam including the starter dyke being 128 m. The proposed TCM is relatively simple and cost-effective and provides a good way for constructing rapidly raising tailings dam based on this case.

Key Words

tailings; waste disposal; template construction method (TCM); environmental engineering

Address

Zuoan Wei,Guangzhi Yin and Yonghao Yang: 1.) State Key Laboratory of Coal Mine Disaster Dynamics and Control, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400030, China 2.) School of Resource and Safety Engineering, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400030, China Yulong Chen: School of Energy and Mining Engineering, China University of Mining and Technology, Beijing 100083, China Weimin Shu: Yuxi Mining Company Ltd., Yuxi Yunnan 653100, China