Outotec is one of the few companies in the world that can offer paste-thickening solutions to the mineral industries in one package. Paste technology means that instead of pumping untreated tailings from the concentrator into tailing ponds, the sand is dewatered to a point when it does not segregate as deposit.
Outotec’s expertise regarding paste technology springs from the company’s long experience of minerals and metals processing technology.
“Paste technology is now widely acknowledged, and at the moment Outotec has ongoing paste projects all over the world,” said Anders Nyström, Technology Sales Manager, Paste and Backfill Solutions, Outotec. “Using paste technology, the tailings form a conical pile do not need big ponds to be stored in. This means that the disposal area is much smaller compared to conventional tailing ponds and the danger of leakage is minimal.”
Anders Nyström said that the mining industry faced growing challenges globally on how to use water efficiently, how to recover and recirculate water and how to reduce the areas needed for tailings storage.
“That’s why the market for new sustainable solutions for tailings treatment is growing,” he emphasised. “Since the water from the tailings is efficiently recovered, using paste technology, the water can be used over and over again. This makes the technology attractive, especially in dry regions.”
He also points out that paste technology makes it much easier to restore the landscape in a safe way after a mine is closed.
Mr Nyström explained, “We are now investigating the possibility with adding fertilizers and seed to the tailings through the paste plant some time before the mine will be closed down. This way the restoration process needs very little extra work. By using this method the closure process can be started in good time, saving time and money and in an environmental way improving the closure process.”
Outotec, with the recent acquisition of the Australian company Backfill Specialists, can now offer even more comprehensive tailings treatment solutions to mining industry worldwide.
“Paste backfill is mainly used to stabilise underground excavations,” said Mathew Revell, Head of Paste and Backfill Solutions business, Outotec. “The paste backfill can also serve as a working platform in a mine. In short, by using paste backfill the mines can be utilised more efficiently and above all, safely.”