ABSTRACT
This paper presents preliminary results of integrated in-situ and theoretical study to develop safe technology that will utilize total tailings from mineral processing plants without dewatering, solid phase size classification and cementation. The tailing backfill is repetitively gravity fed underground via boreholes from the surface and pipe work into the open stopes. Three heavy armored concrete bulkheads were constructed at the bottom level to isolate mining. Obtained results showed that fill permeability can realistically be inferred by inverse method only. Calculated bulkhead deformations were in good agreement with observations and field measurements. Future numerical modeling will be an essential means for bulkhead construction design and establishing filling strategies.
