Decanter Centrifuge for Dewatering Tailings

Decanter centrifuge for dewatering tailings

Tailings, which are fine-grained residues produced during the processing of ores and minerals in mining, are often stored in large settling basins or sludge ponds. This storage method poses a significant environmental burden. The valuable process water contained within the tailings remains unused. However, with the implementation of modern dewatering solutions, mining residues can be economically treated and the process water can be reclaimed. This approach offers several benefits such as saving space, reducing costs, and promoting environmental sustainability.

In the mining field, tailings refer to sludges comprised of fine-grained residues. These residues are generated during the extraction and processing of ores and minerals. The resulting wastewater or overburden sludge often contains chemical contaminants, posing environmental risks when stored in sludge ponds. In the event of a dam failure, the consequences can be detrimental to both humans and the environment.

To address these concerns, the practice of storing tailings in sludge ponds is gradually being replaced by the storage of dewatered tailings. Mining companies now store the dewatered sludge on the ground, complying with regulatory requirements in many countries. This approach is particularly advantageous in remote or confined storage areas and regions prone to earthquakes. By dewatering the tailings, the environmental risks and space requirements are minimized, while the purified process water can be recycled, leading to significant cost reductions in mining operations.

Tailing decanter centrifuge offers a more sustainable approach to water usage compared to belt presses or chamber filter presses, as it require significantly less fresh water. The decanter centrifuge efficiently separate solid particles down to a size of 10 µm without the need for flocculants. In cases where flocculants are used, even finer solids can be separated from the liquid, resulting in clean process water that can be returned to the operation. Consequently, mine operators can greatly reduce their fresh water requirements.

The recycling of cleaned process water is facilitated by decanter centrifuge, reducing the demand for fresh water. Additionally, their compact design makes them suitable for installation in confined and hard-to-reach areas. Compared to other processing plants, Tailing decanter centrifuges require considerably less space. They can be installed as fixed units in buildings or as semi-mobile container units, with a modest ground area requirement within 5 x 10 meters.