ABSTRACT
One of the problems of the mining industry is the management of fine mineral tailings (with a solid phase diameter of less than 0.1 mm),which are the result of the enrichment process. Due to their physical properties, mainly thickening and compressibility, the fine-grained materials are not suitable for use in large quantities in the mining industry or other industrial branches. A number of experiments were conducted to develop a technology allowing the practical use of fine-grained post-flotation tailings as hydraulic or cemented hydraulic fill and also as a material for goaf tightening. The paper presents the results of the research conducted on obtaining condensed fine-grained tailings of copper ore flotation by the dredging method. During the experiments, the following parameters were determined: pump operation parameters, material density, linear head losses On top of this, the process of depositing material on the beach was assessed. During the research both traditional measurement methods and laser scanning techniques were used to assess the deposition of material on the beach. Experimental studies have confirmed the effectiveness of obtaining material by the dredging method that can be used in backfilling technologies or for goaf tightening.
