Feasibility of High-Density and Non-Segregable Niobium Ore Tailings

Tailings disposal in the form of diluted slurries has a tendency for particle size segregation, where coarse particles settle near discharge point, and finer are carried by water flux to more distant regions. This causes loss reservoir capacity due voids between coarser increased content deposit. work aimed evaluate feasibility reaching non-segregable high-density with fine tailings from niobium oreflotation process measure its parameters. The innovation is achieve solids percentage settled deposit avoid segregation along slurry path tailings. study involved physical, chemical, mineralogical characterization semi-pilot thickening tests produce enough volume underflow different bed heights rates. Slump, rheology, flume were performed characteristics. results indicated that thickener height did not significantly influence content, yield stress, or slump. rate, on other side, had greater influence—the higher it was, lower angle, In tests, high density was achieved 1.96 t/m3, corresponding an 66.8% solids, 43.9 Pa stress 0.5 (t/h)/m2, m height.