Mine Paste Fill

Challenge:

An open pit expansion to two underground mines, required a new  paste backfill system to produce a cemented backfill  used to fill underground stopes. The paste backfill is composed of dewatered mill tailings and slag/cement binder mix that is pumped or allowed to flow by gravity. This part of Canada is both a severe cold climate and remote location for such a project requiring specific design consideration including:

-precast concrete work

-modular design based on shipping dimensions

-heat tracing and insulation of piping and bins 

-building and entry space heating

Process:

The facility included a 360 t/h paste plant, booster station and binder storage facility.

Delivery:

Consultec, in partnership with an equipment supplier, designed the plant and procured the process equipment,  plant services/utilities, electrical equipment and construction bulk materials.