Abstract
Surface disposal of mill tailings and fly ash is a major concern for many countries, as it pollutes the environment including air, water, and soil. Paste backfilling is an emerging mine backfilling technique, wherein the industrial wastes such as mill tailings, fly ash and blast furnace slag are backfilled inside the stopes. This study examines the physico-chemical characteristics of lead–zinc mill tailings, fly ash and their mixtures for their possible utilization in paste backfilling in underground metalliferous mines. Three different mill tailing–fly ash mixtures, viz., 95:5, 92:8 and 90:10 (wt%), have been considered. The chemical, morphological and mineralogical compositions are analyzed by XRF, SEM and XRD. The morphological analysis revealed that the mill tailings are irregular in shape and fly ash particles are almost spherical in nature. The filling of inter-particle spaces of irregular mill tailings with spherical fly ash and finer mill tailings (− 20 µm) particles will enhance the rheology of mill tailing–fly ash mix paste backfill. Chemically, the lead–zinc mill tailings is enriched in SiO2, CaO, Fe2O3, and Al2O3, whereas fly ash is mainly composed of SiO2 and Al2O3 with small amounts of Fe2O3, CaO, K2O, TiO2, MgO, SO3, Na2O, and P2O5. The XRD analysis revealed that the lead–zinc mill tailings mainly contain quartz, pyrite, dolomite, hematite and calcite, while fly ash contains quartz, mullite, kaolinite and hematite. This study proved that lead–zinc mill tailings and fly ash together can be suitably used for paste backfilling in underground metalliferous mines.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Abdul-Hussain N, Fall M (2011) Unsaturated hydraulic properties of cemented tailings back fill that contains sodium silicate. Eng Geol 123(4):288–301. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enggeo.2011.07.011
Akinci A, Artir R (2007) Characterization of trace elements and radionuclides and their risk assessment in red mud. Mater Charact 59:2–6. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.matchar.2007.02.008
Amaratunga LM, Yaschyshyn DN (1997) Development of a high modulus paste fill using fine gold mill tailings. Geotech Geol Eng 15(3):205–219. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00880825
Asokan P, Saxena M, Asolekar SR (2010) Recycling hazardous jarosite waste using coal combustion residues. Mater Charact 61(12):1342–1355. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.matchar.2010.09.005
ASTM D2487–11 (2011) Standard practice for classification of soils for engineering purposes (Unified Soil Classification System). ASTM International, West Conshohocken
Belem T, Benzaazoua M (2008) Design and application of underground mine paste backfill technology. Geotech Geol Eng 26(2):147–174. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10706-007-9154-3
Benzaazoua M, Belem T, Bussie B (2002) Chemical factors that influence the performance of mine sulphidic paste backfill. Cem Concr Res 32(7):1133–1144
Burchfield TE, Hepler LG (1979) Some chemical and physical properties of tailings water from oil sands extraction plants. Fuel 58(10):745–747. https://doi.org/10.1016/0016-2361(79)90074-7
Coussy S, Benzaazoua M, Blanc D, Moszkowicz P, Bussière B (2011) Arsenic stability in arsenopyrite-rich cemented paste backfills: a leaching test-based assessment. J Hazard Mater 185:1467–1476. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhazmat.2010.10.070
Cretescua I, Harja M, Teodosiua C, Isopescuc DN, Chok MF, Sluser BM, Salleh MAM (2018) Synthesis and characterisation of a binder cement replacement based on alkali activation of fly ash waste. Process Saf Environ Prot 119:23–35. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psep.2018.07.011
Deb D, Sreenivas T, Dey GK, Panchal S (2017) Paste backfill technology: essential characteristics and assessment of its application for mill rejects of uranium ores. Trans Indian Inst Met 70(2):487–495
Ercikdi B, Cihangir F, Kesimal A, Deveci H, Alp I (2009) Utilization of industrial waste products as pozzolanic material in cemented paste backfill of high sulphide mill tailings. J Hazard Mater 168:848–856. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhazmat.2009.02.100
Ercikdi B, Baki H, Izki M (2013) Effect of desliming of sulphide-rich mill tailings on the long-term strength of cemented paste backfill. J Environ Manage 115:5–13. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2012.11.014
Ercikdi B, Külekci G, Yılmaz T (2015) Utilization of granulated marble wastes and waste bricks as mineral admixture in cemented paste backfill of sulphide-rich tailings. Constr Build Mater 93:573–583. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2015.06.042
Fall M, Pokharel M (2010) Coupled effects of sulphate and temperature on the strength development of cemented tailings backfills: Portland cement-paste backfill. Cement Concr Compos 32(10):819–828. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cemconcomp.2010.08.002
Fall M, Samb SS (2007) Pore structure of cemented tailings materials under natural or accidental thermal loads. Mater Charact 59:3–10. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.matchar.2007.05.003
Fall M, Benzaazoua M, Ouellet S (2005) Experimental characterization of the influence of tailings fineness and density on the quality of cemented paste backfill. Miner Eng 18(1):41–44. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mineng.2004.05.012
Fourie AB, Blight GE, Papageorgious G (2001) Static liquefaction as a possible explanation for the Merriespruit tailings dam failure. Can Geotech J 38:707–719
IS: 2386 (Part III) (1963) Indian standards: methods of test for aggregates for concrete, Part III, Specific Gravity, New Delhi, India
Jamieson HE, Walker SR, Parsons MB (2015) Mineralogical characterization of mine waste. Appl Geochem. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apgeochem.2014.12.014
Kesimal A, Ercikdi B, Yilmaz E (2003) The effect of desliming by sedimentation on paste backfill performance. Miner Eng 16(10):1009–1011. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0892-6875(03)00267-X
Kesimal A, Yilmaz E, Ercikdi B (2004) Evaluation of paste backfill mixtures consisting of sulphide-rich mill tailings and varying cement contents. Cem Concr Res 34:1817–1822. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cemconres.2004.01.018
Kesimal A, Yilmaz E, Ercikdi B, Alp I, Deveci H (2005) Effect of properties of tailings and binder on the short-and long-term strength and stability of cemented paste backfill. Mater Lett 59(28):3703–3709. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.matlet.2005.06.042
Klein K, Simon D (2006) Effect of specimen composition on the strength development in cemented paste backfill. Can Geotech J 43:310–324. https://doi.org/10.1139/t06-005
Koukouzas N, Hämäläinen J, Papanikolaou D, Tourunen A, Jäntti T (2007) Mineralogical and elemental composition of fly ash from pilot scale fluidised bed combustion of lignite, bituminous coal, wood chips and their blends. Fuel 86:2186–2193. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fuel.2007.03.036
Lindsay MBJ, Moncur MC, Bain JG, Jambor JL, Ptacek CJ, Blowes DW (2015) Geochemical and mineralogical aspects of sulfide mine tailings. Appl Geochem. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apgeochem.2015.01.009
Liu G, Zhang H, Gao L, Zheng L, Peng Z (2004) Petrological and mineralogical characterizations and chemical composition of coal ashes from power plants in Yanzhou mining district, China. Fuel Process Technol 85(15):1635–1646. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fuproc.2003.10.028
Mishra DP, Das SK (2010) A study of physico-chemical and mineralogical properties of Talcher coal fly ash for stowing in underground coal mines. Mater Charact 61(11):1252–1259. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.matchar.2010.08.008
Mishra DP, Das SK (2015) One-dimensional consolidation of sedimented stowed pond ash and pond ash-lime mixture deposits—a comparative study. Part Sci Technol 33(2):172–177. https://doi.org/10.1080/02726351.2014.947662
Moreno N, Querol X, Andrés JM, Stanton K, Towler M, Nugteren H, Janssen-Jurkovicova M, Jones R (2005) Physico-chemical characteristics of European pulverized coal combustion fly ashes. Fuel 84(11):1351–1363. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fuel.2004.06.038
Ouellet S, Bussière B, Mbonimpa M, Benzaazoua M, Aubertin M (2006) Reactivity and mineralogical evolution of an underground mine sulphidic cemented paste backfill. Miner Eng 19(5):407–419. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mineng.2005.10.006
Rao SM, Reddy BVV (2006) Characterization of Kolar gold field mine tailings for cyanide and acid drainage. Geotech Geol Eng 24(6):1545–1559. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10706-005-3372-3
Sarkar A, Rano R, Udaybhanu G, Basu AK (2006) A comprehensive characterisation of fly ash from a thermal power plant in Eastern India. Fuel Process Technol 87(3):259–277. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fuproc.2005.09.005
Sivakugan N, Rankine KJ, Rankine KS (2006a) Study of drainage through hydraulic fill stopes using method of fragments. Geotech Geol Eng 24(1):79–89. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10706-004-1949-x
Sivakugan N, Rankine RM, Rankine KS (2006b) Geotechnical considerations in mine backfilling in Australia. Journal of Cleaner Production 14:1168–1175. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2004.06.007
White SC, Case ED (1990) Characterization of fly ash from coal-fired power plants. J Mater Sci 25(12):5215–5219. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00580153
Yilmaz E (2011) Advances in reducing large volumes of environmentally harmful mine waste rocks and tailings. Mineral Resources Management 27(2):89–112
Yilmaz E, Belem T, Benzaazoua M (2014) Effects of curing and stress conditions on hydro-mechanical, geotechnical and geochemical properties of cemented paste backfill. Eng Geol 168:23–37. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enggeo.2013.10.024
Yu Z, Ye G (2013) The pore structure of cement paste blended with fly ash. Constr Build Mater 45:30–35. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2013.04.012
Zheng J, Zhu Y, Zhao Z (2016) Utilization of limestone powder and water-reducing admixture in cemented paste backfill of coarse copper mine tailings. Constr Build Mater 124:31–36. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2016.07.055
Acknowledgements
The authors gratefully acknowledge the financial support provided by Hindustan Zinc Limited (HZL) for conducting the present study. Authors also express their sincere thanks to the HZL management for supplying the mill tailings and fly ash samples for the analyses.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Additional information
Publisher's Note
Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Behera, S.K., Mishra, D.P., Ghosh, C.N. et al. Characterization of lead–zinc mill tailings, fly ash and their mixtures for paste backfilling in underground metalliferous mines. Environ Earth Sci 78, 394 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12665-019-8395-9
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12665-019-8395-9