Predicted and Field-Measured Resuspension of Flooded Mine Tailings

Abstract

Shallow water covers are often implemented over sulphide-bearing mine tailings to reduce oxygen uptake by the tailings and, consequently, acid generation. At some sites, however, wind-induced waves could resuspend the tailings and possibly impact the quality of the overlying water cover. Wind-induced resuspension was investigated for a base metal mine site using published semiempirical predictive methods, measured tailings properties, and field measurements. The results of the predictions were compared with field measurements. Tailings erosion occurred when the bed shear stress due to the wave-induced oscillatory flow and countercurrent flow exceeded the measured critical shear stress,