Systems and methods for dewatering mine tailings
US9188389B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 12, 2014 |
| Grant date | Nov 17, 2015 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 24, 2034 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF26B2200/18
- WIPO fieldChemical engineering
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
Systems and methods for dewatering mine tailings. The systems and methods include distributing a slurry of high permeability material on a sloped surface to define a high permeability layer and subsequently distributing a slurry of low permeability mine tailings on the high permeability layer to define a low permeability layer that is vertically above and in contact with the high permeability layer. The sloped surface defines a non-zero surface grade, and natural slopes of both the slurry of high permeability material and the slurry of low permeability mine tailings are within a threshold grade difference of the surface grade. In some embodiments, the systems and methods may include augmenting the slurry of high permeability material and/or augmenting the slurry of low permeability mine tailings to adjust the natural slope thereof.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.