Paste Plant Pipeline Design
Paste fill backfill distribution systems typically comprise dewatered total tailings with cement and / or binder added. Aggregate is added to the paste for applications where high strengths are required. Aggregate is added to the paste for applications where high strengths are required. Fraser-Lever are leaders in paste plant pipeline design and have an outstanding capability to assist with all phases of paste backfill projects. This includes initial scoping studies and metallurgical testwork through to detailed design, plant construction and project management.
Leaders In Minerals Processing
Fraser-Lever has a multidisciplinary team that specialises in plant design, including backfill distribution systems, that optimise minerals processing to ensure the commissioning of safe and constructible designs to drive productivity and performance for our clients.
The primary advantages of paste fill are:
-
The fill has little or no bleed water, simplifying mine dewatering.
-
As total tailings are used, the surface disposal problems are reduced.
-
Paste can be "engineered" to provide the required strength for different parts of the mine.
Case Study – BHP Billiton Cannington Paste Fill Conveyor
The Cannington silver-rich lead-zinc Mine is an underground mine located in north-west Queensland, south of Mount Isa. Design of paste fill conveyor including belt rotation system. The major ore minerals are galena and sphalerite. The silver occurs mainly as freibergite but is also present in solid solution within the galena.
​
Our mining engineer specialists were contracted to create a conveyor, specifically designed to minimise segregation of the cement strengthened paste fill material. The structure is elevated above 1 in 100 year flood levels to meet environmental constraints.
