Skip to main content

Design and Characterization of Underground Paste Backfill

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
Paste Tailings Management

Abstract

This chapter describes the design and characterization of cemented paste backfill considered for re-filling underground mined-out stopes. The mixture design and optimization of CPB are based on laboratory- and paste plant-scale testing. The uniaxial compressive strength of paste backfill material is universally accepted as one of the most important design parameters. The other design parameters are material characterization, dewatering and rheological properties. To reach the real strength response of a paste-filled stope based on an optimal stability design, it is vital to assess the intrinsic (paste ingredients) and extrinsic factors (field placement and curing conditions) which affects the CPB’s performance. This chapter deals an overview of underground paste backfilling, including paste ingredients, backfill plant operations, mixture preparation, backfill reticulation system, paste placement and curing conditions, barricade construction and monitoring, and quality control testing.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 84.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 139.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 109.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  • Archibald J, De Gagne D, Nantel J, Hassani F (2003) Underground mine backfill course notes. Edu Mine: Professional Development and Training for Mining, Canada

    Google Scholar 

  • Aubertin M, Li L, Arnoldi S, Belem T, Bussiere B, Benzaazoua M, Simon R (2003) Interaction between backfill and rock mass in narrow stopes. In: Soil and rock America mechanics symposium, Essen, Germany, p 1157–1164

    Google Scholar 

  • Awoh AS, Mbonimpa M, Bussière B (2013) Determination of the reaction rate coefficient of sulphide mine tailings deposited under water. J Environ Manage 128:1023–1032

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Belem T, Benzaazoua M (2008) Design and application of underground mine paste backfill technology. Geotech Geol Eng 26(2):147–174

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Belem T, Harvey A, Simon R, Aubertin M (2004) Measurement and prediction of internal stresses in an underground opening during its filling with cemented backfill. In: The 5th international symposium on ground support in mining and underground construction, Perth, Australia, p 619–630

    Google Scholar 

  • Benkendorff PN (2006) Potential of lead/zinc slag for use in cemented mine backfill. Mineral Process Extractive Metall: IMM Trans Sect C 115(3):171–173

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Benzaazoua M, Fall M, Belem T (2004) A contribution to understanding the hardening process of cemented paste backfill. Miner Eng 17(2):141–152

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bernier RL, Li MG, Moerman A (1999) Effects of tailings and binder geochemistry on physical strength of paste fill. In: The 2nd international conference on mining and the environment, Canada, p 1113–1122

    Google Scholar 

  • Bertrand V, Monroy M, Lawrence R (2000) Weathering characteristics of paste backfill: mineralogy and solid phase chemistry. In: The 5th international conference on acid rock drainage, Denver, p 863–876

    Google Scholar 

  • Blowes DW, Lortie L, Gould WD, Jambor JL (1995) Microbiological, chemical, and mineralogical characterization of the Kidd Creek mine tailings impoundment, Timmins area, Ontario. Geomicro-Biology J 13(1):13–31

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bouzahzah H, Benzazoua M, Bussiere B, Plant B (2014) Prediction of acid mine drainage: importance of mineralogy and the protocols for static and kinetic tests. Mine Water Environ 33:54–65

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Brackebusch FW (1994) Basics of paste backfill systems. Mining Eng 46:1175–1178

    Google Scholar 

  • Bussière B (2007) Colloquium 2004: hydrogeotechnical properties of hard rock tailings from metal mines and emerging geo-environmental disposal approaches. Can Geotech J 44(9):1019–1052

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cayouette J (2003) Optimization of the paste fill plant at Louvicourt mine. CIM Bull 96:51–57

    Google Scholar 

  • Chan BK, Bouzalakos S, Dudeney AW (2008) Integrated waste and water management in mining and metallurgical industries. Trans Nonferrous Met Soc Chin 18:1497–1505

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cihangir F, Ercikdi B, Turan A, Kesimal A, Deveci H, Yazici M,Karaoglu K (2011) Utilisation of sodium silicate activated blast furnace slag as an alternative binder in paste backfill of high-sulphide mill tailings. In: The 14th international seminar on paste and thickened tailings, Perth, p 465–475

    Google Scholar 

  • Cihangir F, Ercikdi B, Kesimal A, Deveci H (2012) Utilisation of alkali-activated blast furnace slag in paste backfill of sulphide mill tailings: Effect of binder type and dosage. Miner Eng 30:33–43

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cooke R (2006) Thickened and paste tailings pipeline systems: design procedure Part I. In: The ninth international seminar on paste and thickened tailings, Limerick, p 1–10

    Google Scholar 

  • De Souza E, Archibald JF, Dirige APE (2003) Economics and perspectives of underground backfill practices in Canadian Mining. In: 105th annual CIM general meeting, Montreal, p 1–15

    Google Scholar 

  • Dirige APE, Archibald JF, Clarke R, Hilkewich T, Frank T (2008) The effect of different mixing techniques on the strength behavior of paste backfill. In: Proceedings of the 42nd U.S. rock mechanics symposium (USRMS), American Rock Mechanics Association, San Francisco, CA, 29 June–2 July, 2008, pp 1–7

    Google Scholar 

  • Ercikdi B, Yilmaz T, Kulekci G (2014) Strength and ultrasonic properties of cemented paste backfill. Int J Ultrasonics 54(1):195–204

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fahey M, Helinski M, Fourie A (2009) Some aspects of the mechanics of arching in backfilled stopes. Canad Geotech J 46(11):1322–1336

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fall M, Benzaazoua M, Ouellet S (2005) Experimental characterization of the influence of tailings fineness and density on the quality of cemented paste backfill. Miner Eng 18:41–44

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fall M, Benzaazoua M, Saa E (2008) Mix proportioning of underground cemented paste backfill. J Tunnell Underground Space 23:80–90

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Festugato L, Fourie A, Consoli NC (2013) Cyclic shear response of fibre-reinforced cemented paste backfill. Géotech Lett 3:5–12

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fourie AB, Fahey H, Helinski M (2007) Using effective stress theory to characterize the behaviour of backfill. CIM Bullet 100(1103):1–9

    Google Scholar 

  • Fried E, Benzazoua M, Bussière B, Belem T (2007) Study of the leaching behavior and metal fixation within cemented paste backfill. In: The 9th international symposium in mining with backfill, Canada, p 1–13

    Google Scholar 

  • Ghirian A, Fall M (2013) Coupled thermo-hydro-mechanical-chemical behavior of cemented paste backfill in column experiments. Part I: physical and thermal processes and characteristics. Eng Geol 164:195–207

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ghirian A, Fall M (2014) Coupled thermo-hydro-mechanical chemical behaviour of cemented paste backfill in column experiments. Part II: mechanical and microstructural processes and characteristics. Eng Geol 170:11–23

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Godbout J, Bussiere B, Benzaazoua M, Aubertin M (2009) Influence of pyrrhotite content on the physico-chemical behavior of paste backfill. In: The 62nd Canadian geotechnical conference, Canada, p 1–8

    Google Scholar 

  • Goosen P, Ilgner H, Dumbu S (2011) Settlement in backfill pipelines: its causes and a novel online detection method. In: The 10th international symposium on mining with backfill, South Africa, p 187–195

    Google Scholar 

  • Grabinsky MW, Bawden WF (2007) In situ measurements for geomechanical design of cemented paste fill systems. CIM Bulletin 100(1103):1–8

    Google Scholar 

  • Grice AG (2005) Fluid mechanics of mine fill. In: Handbook on mine fill. Australian Centre for Geomechanics, Perth, p 51–63

    Google Scholar 

  • Hassani FP, Archibald JF (1998) Mine backfill handbook. Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum, Montreal

    Google Scholar 

  • Hassani FP, Ouellet J, Hossein M (2001) Strength development in underground high sulphate paste backfill operation. CIM Bullet 94(1050):57–62

    Google Scholar 

  • Helinski M, Grice AG (2007) Water management in hydraulic fill operations. In: Proceedings of the 9th international symposium in mining with backfill, Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum (CIM), Montréal, QC, Canada, 29 April–2 May, 2007, pp 1–11

    Google Scholar 

  • Helinski M, Fahey M, Fourie A (2007a) Numerical modelling of cemented paste backfill deposition. J Geotech Geoenviron 13(10):1308–1319

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Helinski M, Fahey M, Fourie AB (2010) Behavior of cemented paste backfill in two mine stopes: Measurements and modeling. J Geotech Geoenviron Eng 13(2):11–182

    Google Scholar 

  • Henderson A, Revell MB, Landriault D, Coxon J (2005) Paste fill. In: Handbook on mine fill. Australian Centre for Geomechanics, Perth, p 1–179

    Google Scholar 

  • Hudson-Edwards KA, Jamieson HE, Lottermoser BG (2011) Mine wastes: past, present, future. Elements 7:375–380

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hughes PB, Pakalnis R, Hitch M, Corey G (2010) Composite paste barricade performance at Goldcorp, Inc., Red Lake Mine, Ontario. Canada Int J Min Recl Environ 24(2):138–150

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jakubick A, McKenna G (2003) Stabilization of tailings deposits: international experience. Mining and the Environment III, Sudbury, p 1–9

    Google Scholar 

  • Johnson JL, Slottee JS (2004) Paste technology: success is in the approach. In: The 11th international conference on tailings and mine waste, Vail, p 305–309

    Google Scholar 

  • Kesimal A, Yilmaz E, Ercikdi B, Alp I, Yumlu M, Ozdemir B (2003) Paste backfill technology in underground mining—a case study. Turkish J Earth Sci 16(1):45–53

    Google Scholar 

  • Kesimal A, Yilmaz E, Ercikdi B (2004) Evaluation of paste backfill test results obtained from different size slumps with varying cement contents for mill tailings. Cem Concr Res 34:1817–1822

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kesimal A, Yilmaz E, Ercikdi B, Deveci H, Alp I (2005) Effect of properties of tailings and binder on short- and long-term strength and stability of paste backfill. Mater Lett 59:3703–3709

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Klein K, Simon D (2006) Effect of specimen composition on the strength development in cemented paste backfill. Canad Geotech J 43:310–324

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Landriault D (2006) They said “It will never work”—25 years of paste backfill 1981–2006. In: The 9th international seminar on paste and thickened tailings, Limerick, p 277–292

    Google Scholar 

  • Landriault D, Brown R, Counter D (2000) Paste backfill study for deep mining at Kidd Creek. CIM Bullet 93(1036):156–161

    Google Scholar 

  • le Roux K-A, Bawden WF, Grabinsky MW (2005) Field properties of cemented paste backfill at the Golden Giant mine. Mining Technol 114(2):65–80

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Li L (2015) Generalized solution for mining backfill design. Int J Geomech 14:1–13

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lottermoser B (2010) Mine wastes: characterization, treatment and environmental impacts, 3rd edn. Springer, Berlin

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • McGuinness M, Cooke R (2011) Pipeline wear and the hydraulic performance of pastefill distribution systems: Kidd mine experience. In: 10th international symposium on mining with backfill, South Africa, p 205–212

    Google Scholar 

  • Moghaddam AS, Hassani FP (2007) Yield stress measurement of cemented paste backfill with the vane method and slump tests. In: The 9th international symposium on mining with backfill, Montreal, p 1–8

    Google Scholar 

  • Nasir O, Fall M (2008) Shear behaviour of paste fill-rock interfaces. Eng Geol 101:146–153

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nonnen FA (2001) Reduction or elimination of abrasion, wear and corrosion in backfill equipment. In: The 7th international symposium on mining with backfill, Seattle, p 1–12

    Google Scholar 

  • Ouattara D, Mbonimpa M, Belem T (2010) Rheological properties of thickened tailings and cemented paste tailings and the effects of mixture characteristics on shear behaviour. In: The 63th Canadian geotechnical conference, Calgary, p 118–1185

    Google Scholar 

  • Ouellet S, Bussière B, Mbonimpa M, Benzazoua M, Aubertin M (2006) Reactivity and mineralogical evolution of an underground mine sulphidic cemented backfill. Miner Eng 19:407–419

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pashias N, Boger DV, Summers J, Glennister DJ (1996) A fifty cent rheomoter for yield stress measurement. J Rheol 40(6):1179–1189

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Plante B, Bussiere B, Benzaazoua M (2014) Lab to field scale effects on contaminated neutral drainage prediction from the Tio mine waste rocks. J Geochem Explor 137:37–47

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pokharel M, Fall M (2011) Coupled thermochemical effects on the strength development of slag paste backfill materials. J Mater Civil Eng 23(5):511–525

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Potvin Y, Thomas E, Fourie AB (2005) Handbook on mine fill. ACG, Perth

    Google Scholar 

  • Revell M (2004) Paste: how strong is it? In: 8th international symposium on mining with backfill, China, p 286–294

    Google Scholar 

  • Sainsbury DP, Revell MB (2007) Advancing paste fill bulkhead design using numerical modelling. CIM Bullet 100(1103):110 (Paper 25)

    Google Scholar 

  • Sivakugan N, Widisinghe S, Wang V (2013) Vertical stress determination in backfilled mine stopes. Int J Geomech 14(5):1–16

    Google Scholar 

  • Slottee JS, Johnson JL (2009) Paste thickener design and operation selected to achieve downstream requirements. In: The 12th international seminar on paste and thickened tailings, Viña del Mar, Chile, p 69–76

    Google Scholar 

  • Sofra F, Boger DV (2002) Environmental rheology for waste minimisation in the minerals industry. Chem Eng J 86(3):319–330

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Stone D (2007) Factors that affect cemented rock fill quality in mines. CIM Bullet 100:1–6

    Google Scholar 

  • Tarig A, Nehdi M (2007) Developing durable paste backfill from sulphidic tailings. Waste Resour Manage 160(4):155–166

    Google Scholar 

  • Thompson BD, Bawden WF, Grabinsky MW (2012) In situ measurements of cemented paste backfill at the Cayeli Mine. Canad Geotech J 49(7):755–772

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ulrich B, Coffin J (2013) Considerations for tailings facility design and operation using filtered tailings. In: The 16th international seminar on paste and thickened tailings, Belo Horizonte, p 201–210

    Google Scholar 

  • Verburg RBM (2002) Paste technology for disposal of acid-generating tailings. Min Environ Manage 13(7):14–18

    Google Scholar 

  • Wang X-M, Zhang D-M, Zhang Q-I (2011) Form and mechanism of abrasion in backfill drill hole pipelines in deep mines. In: The 10th international symposium on mining with backfill, South Africa, p 213–220

    Google Scholar 

  • Weatherwax T, Brosko W, Evans R, Champa J (2010) Role of admixtures in the optimisation of paste backfill systems. In: The 13th international seminar on paste and thickened tailings, Toronto, p 1–11

    Google Scholar 

  • WesTech (2015) Download paste thickening and backfill process flow sheets, Salt Lake City, USA. http://industries.westech-inc.com/paste-download?submissionGuid=d3d4a9bc-ce96-4b6e-9cfa-588b73421f79

  • Wilkins M, Gilchrist C, Fehrsen M, Cooke R (2004) Boulby mine fill system: design, commissioning and operation. In: The 8th international symposium on mining with backfill, Beijing, p 43–50

    Google Scholar 

  • Wilson S, Calverd J (2011) Benefits of paste aggregate backfill. In: The 10th international symposium on mining with backfill, Cape Town, p 1–8

    Google Scholar 

  • Yilmaz E (2015a) Environmental characterization of surface paste disposal. LAP LAMBERT Academic Publishing, ISBN: 978–3–659-36697-0, Saarbrucken, Deutschland/Germany

    Google Scholar 

  • Yilmaz E (2015b) Geotechnical characterization of cemented paste backfill. LAP LAMBERT Academic Publishing, ISBN: 978–3–659-60841-4, Saarbrucken, Deutschland/Germany

    Google Scholar 

  • Yilmaz E, Benzaazoua M, Belem T, Bussière B (2009) Effect of curing under pressure on compressive strength development of cemented paste backfill. Miner Eng 22:772–785

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Yilmaz E, Belem T, Benzaazoua M (2014a) Effects of curing and stress conditions on hydromechanical, geotechnical and geochemical properties of cemented paste backfill. Eng Geol 168:23–37

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Yilmaz E, Benzaazoua M, Bussière B, Pouliot S (2014b) Influence of disposal configurations on hydrogeological behaviour of sulphidic paste tailings: a field experimental study. Int J Miner Process 131:12–25

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Yilmaz E, Belem T, Bussière B, Mbonimpa M, Benzaazoua M (2015a) Curing time effect on consolidation behaviour of cemented paste backfill containing different cement types and contents. Construct Build Mater 75:99–111

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Yilmaz E, Belem T, Benzaazoua M (2015b) Specimen size effect on strength behavior of cemented paste backfills subjected to different placement conditions. Eng Geol 185:52–62

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Yumlu M, Guresci M (2007) Paste backfill bulkhead monitoring: a case study from Inmet’s Cayeli Mine, Turkey. In: The 9th international symposium on mining with backfill, Montreal, p 1–11

    Google Scholar 

  • Zou DH, Nadarajah N (2006) Optimizing backfill design for ground support and cost saving. In: The 41st U.S. rock mechanics symposium, Madison, p 1–11

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Erol Yilmaz .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2017 Springer International Publishing Switzerland

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Yilmaz, E., Guresci, M. (2017). Design and Characterization of Underground Paste Backfill. In: Yilmaz, E., Fall, M. (eds) Paste Tailings Management. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-39682-8_5

Download citation

Publish with us

Policies and ethics