DEVOLOPING A METHOD FOR REMOVING TAILING FROM THE RIVER – TYPE CONSERVED TAILINGS DAM FROM STATIONARY PLATFORNS

Abstract

Ensuring the safe and efficient disposal of tailings, along with the release of land for the construction of new tailings storage facilities, is among the priority challenges in mining industry of Republic of Armenia (RA). Due to limited land availability and, at times, the absence of suitable areas, this issue becomes particularly acute in the context of conserved river-type tailings dams operated by mining enterprises in Republic of Armenia. These enterprises are typically located in mountainous regions where, in the event of an earthquake, there is a significant risk of environmental contamination from the contents of conserved tailings storage facilities. A review of the existing studies and literature reveals that numerous technical solutions, devices, and methods for removing tailings from conserved tailings dams are currently known. However, these have not been widely applied in practice for removing tailings from tailing dams formed in complex terrain conditions – such as those commonly found in Republic of Armenia, where tailings dams are typically located in gorges or riverbeds, with pre-removed water.

This article proposes a novel method and device for the removal of tailings from conserved river-type tailings dams, based on the construction of stationary platforms installed on bridge supports and water intake towers during the dam’s construction phase.

The use of the tailings dam's bridge structures and water intake towers as supports for stationary platforms makes it possible to reduce the cost of constructing these platforms within the basin. This facilitates safe and efficient access to the tailings deposit area during their removal from the conserved tailings dam.