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Minerals
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Mechanical and Rheological Properties of Cemented Tailings Backfill
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Mechanical and Rheological Properties of Cemented Tailings Backfill

A special issue of Minerals (ISSN 2075-163X). This special issue belongs to the section "Environmental Mineralogy and Biogeochemistry".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (20 January 2025) | Viewed by 4766

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Imad Alainachi

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Civil Engineering, University of Ottawa, 161 Colonel by, Ottawa, ON K1N 6N5, Canada
Interests: mine waste management; seismic geotechnical engineering; mining geotechnical engineering
Dr. Othman Nasir

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Civil Engineering, University of New Brunswick, Fredericton, NB E3B5A3, Canada
Interests: deep geological repository (DGR); cemented paste backfill technology (CPB); engineered barrier system (Sand-Bentonite); underground storage of natural gas; geothermal energy

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Cemented tailings backfill (CTB) or cemented paste backfill (CPB) is a novel, sustainable, and environmentally friendly technology for managing waste materials from mining operations, such as tailings. This method involves mixing mine waste material with binders, such as cement, and water to create a stable backfill for underground mining openings (stopes). It provides secondary support for these stopes and minimizes the risk of ground subsidence in the mine area.

During the transportation of CTB material from the paste plant to the mine stope, the rheology of the CTB material is affected by several factors, including transportation time, temperature variation, binder type, and chemical composition. Inappropriate rheological properties can lead to the destabilization of CTB flowability through the delivery system. This can result in significant financial losses due to pipeline clogging caused by unexpected hardening of CPB during transportation and delays in the mining operations. These factors also impact the mechanical strength of CTB, which significantly influences its performance after placement in the mine stope.

This Special Issue aims to highlight the crucial factors that affect the mechanical and rheological properties of cemented tailings backfill. Understanding these properties is essential for optimizing the design and performance of backfill systems, enhancing mine safety, and minimizing environmental impacts. The research contributions in this issue explore key aspects such as strength, deformability, flow behavior, and durability of cemented tailings backfill, shedding light on innovative techniques and materials for more efficient and sustainable mining practices.

Dr. Imad Alainachi
Dr. Othman Nasir
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Minerals is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • mine
  • mine waste
  • cemented tailing backfill
  • rheology
  • yield stress
  • viscosity
  • temperature
  • cement
  • hydration
  • sustainable

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Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

26 pages, 5575 KiB  
Article
Rheological Properties of Aluminium Oxide Nanoparticle-Modified Cemented Paste Tailings Materials
by Raouf Kaviani and Mamadou Fall
Minerals 2025, 15(3), 246; https://doi.org/10.3390/min15030246 - 27 Feb 2025
Viewed by 464
Abstract
There is currently no research examining the rheological properties of cementitious paste backfill (CPB) materials containing aluminium oxide nanoparticles (nAlO). Knowing the yield stress and viscosity of CPB containing nAlO is crucial, especially when applying nano-CPB technology in underground mines. The purpose of [...] Read more.
There is currently no research examining the rheological properties of cementitious paste backfill (CPB) materials containing aluminium oxide nanoparticles (nAlO). Knowing the yield stress and viscosity of CPB containing nAlO is crucial, especially when applying nano-CPB technology in underground mines. The purpose of this work is to thoroughly examine how nAlO affects the rheological characteristics of CPB and how those characteristics change over time. Yield stress and viscosity measurements are performed on CPB samples with different compositions (e.g., nAlO content, binder type, and superplasticizer content) at intervals of 0 min, 20 min, 1 h, 2 h, and 4 h. The study also includes measurements of the pH and zeta potential of the materials, microstructural studies (TG/DTG and XRD), and electrical conductivity (EC). The findings show that adding nAlO to CPB significantly changes its rheological properties, which in turn affects flowability. The yield stress and viscosity of CPB samples are greatly increased by the incorporation of nAlO, with the degree of influence varying based on variables including water content, curing duration, and type of binder. Because of the nAlO-induced microstructural changes in the CPB material, the interaction of nAlO and a larger fraction of nAlO, along with an increase in curing time, raises rheological characteristics and decreases paste flowability. The results of EC, DTG, and XRD, which show that binder hydration improves with nAlO dosage, corroborate this. Moreover, as nAlO content increases, the zeta potential decreases in magnitude, resulting in stronger repulsion forces and reduced flowability. However, EC, XRD, and DTG analyses suggest that the addition of 0.125% superplasticizer counteracts the flowability reduction caused by nAlO, as the superplasticizer slows down the cement hydration rate at very early curing stages. Moreover, the increase in the slag percentage from 0% to 50% and 75% of the binder content slightly decreases viscosity but greatly increases yield stress. The study’s fresh perspectives contribute to the advancement of nano-CPB technology and have important ramifications for the practical use of this technology in underground mine backfill operations. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Mechanical and Rheological Properties of Cemented Tailings Backfill)
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20 pages, 2585 KiB  
Article
Superplasticizer Dosage Effect on Strength, Microstructure and Permeability Enhancement of Cementitious Paste Fills
by Ibrahim Cavusoglu
Minerals 2024, 14(12), 1242; https://doi.org/10.3390/min14121242 - 5 Dec 2024
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1151
Abstract
A cementitious paste fill (CPF) ensures the long-age stability of underground cavities. Recently, superplasticizers, specifically ones that are polycarboxylate ether-based, have been incorporated to enhance CPF performance, yet their long-term effects on permeability, mechanical properties, and microstructures remain unclear. This study investigates these [...] Read more.
A cementitious paste fill (CPF) ensures the long-age stability of underground cavities. Recently, superplasticizers, specifically ones that are polycarboxylate ether-based, have been incorporated to enhance CPF performance, yet their long-term effects on permeability, mechanical properties, and microstructures remain unclear. This study investigates these effects with CPF samples containing varying superplasticizer dosages (0%, 1%, 3%, 5%) that have been cured for up to 150 days. Rheological assessments (slump cone, vane shear tests), unconfined compressive strength testing, microstructural characterization (MIP, SEM), and hydraulic conductivity measurements were performed alongside XRD and thermal analyses (TAns) on high w/c (2) cement paste samples. The results showed that superplasticizer addition reduced CPF water content by 23% and yield stress by six times, aiding slurry transport. Long-term strength was enhanced by up to 2.4 times compared to the control samples, indicating improved underground stability. Superplasticizers altered the CPF samples stress–strain responses, increasing their load-bearing capacity. TG/DTG and XRD analyses revealed that hydration product development increased and porosity decreased in the presence of a superplasticizer. Hydraulic conductivity and permeability also decreased significantly. SEM and MIP analyses showed that the superplasticizer enhanced denser microstructures with fewer pores and fractures. These findings offer promising implications for designing CPFs with improved strength, durability, and environmental sustainability. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Mechanical and Rheological Properties of Cemented Tailings Backfill)
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25 pages, 7728 KiB  
Article
Experimental Investigation of Recycling Cement Kiln Dust (CKD) as a Co-Binder Material in Cemented Paste Backfill (CPB) Made with Copper Tailings
by Ali Y. Al-Bakri, Haitham M. Ahmed and Mohammed A. Hefni
Minerals 2024, 14(8), 750; https://doi.org/10.3390/min14080750 - 25 Jul 2024
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1293
Abstract
Cement production may involve excessive use of natural resources and have negative environmental impacts, as energy consumption and CO2 emissions can cause air pollution and climate change. Cement kiln dust (CKD), a by-product waste material, is also a primary issue associated with [...] Read more.
Cement production may involve excessive use of natural resources and have negative environmental impacts, as energy consumption and CO2 emissions can cause air pollution and climate change. Cement kiln dust (CKD), a by-product waste material, is also a primary issue associated with cement production. Utilizing CKD in mining applications is a pathway to eco-sustainable solutions. Cemented paste backfill (CPB) made with mine tailings is an efficient method for void backfilling in underground mines. Therefore, this study investigated the eco-sustainable utilization of CKD as a co-binder material that can partially replace cement in CPB prepared with copper tailings. At 7, 14, 28, 56, and 90-day curing times, the experimental campaign measured the physical and mechanical parameters of the cured CPB samples, including density, UCS, and elastic modulus (stiffness). Additionally, the CPB-cured mixes were analyzed using XRF, X-ray XRD, SEM, and EDX techniques to link the mineral phases and microstructure to mechanical performance. Four proportions (5, 10, 15, and 20%) of CKD represented in 75 samples were prepared to replace ordinary Portland cement (OPC) in the CPB mixtures, in addition to the reference mix (control) with 0% CKD. As all combinations exceed the compressive strength of CPB required for achieving stability in underground mines, the results showed that CKD could be utilized advantageously as a partial substitute for OPC with a proportion of up to 20% in the CPB mixture. When tested after 90 days, the combination modified with 5% CKD exhibited comparatively higher compressive strength than the control mixture. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Mechanical and Rheological Properties of Cemented Tailings Backfill)
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20 pages, 6104 KiB  
Article
Dynamic Loading Characteristics of Cemented Paste Backfill with Recycled Rubber
by Yang Li, Xiaolong Wang, Xiaobo Song and Jie Yang
Minerals 2024, 14(6), 553; https://doi.org/10.3390/min14060553 - 27 May 2024
Viewed by 991
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of the use of rubber powder from tire recovery on the dynamic loading performance of CPB. Finally, it is concluded that using recycled rubber material to backfill mine paste is helpful in reducing [...] Read more.
The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of the use of rubber powder from tire recovery on the dynamic loading performance of CPB. Finally, it is concluded that using recycled rubber material to backfill mine paste is helpful in reducing waste tire pollution and improving the impact resistance of the backfill body. The dynamic compressive strength, Dynamic Increase Factor (DIF), peak dynamic load strain, and dynamic load elastic modulus of the samples composed of slag, Portland cement, wastewater, and rubber powder were determined. Through the analysis of the experimental data, it can be seen that the recycled rubber reduces the dynamic compressive strength and DIF of the specimen but increases the peak dynamic load strain and dynamic load elastic modulus and other characteristics, and enhances the ability of the filled body to absorb elastic strain energy. The results show that recycled rubber can increase the deformation ability of the filler and improve the impact resistance of the filler. The results of this study provide valuable information and industrial applications for the effective management of solid waste based on sustainable development and the circular economy. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Mechanical and Rheological Properties of Cemented Tailings Backfill)
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