Patent ID: 11946214
Assignee: ANGLO AMERICAN SERVICES (UK) LTD
Field: Environmental technology (Chemistry)
Classification: CPC C  E  B | IPC B  C  E

Claim 0:
1. A method of disposing of residues from the comminution and processing of ores, including the steps of:
classifying the processing residues into a water permeable sand fraction comprising sand particles with a p80 of greater than 150 microns and a tailings fraction comprising particles with a p80 of less than 150 microns;
depositing the tailings fraction and the sand fraction to form a multilayer structure contained by at least one containment wall wherein the sand fraction is deposited in forming continuous channels and tailings layers are deposited hydraulically so that the sand fraction form continuous channels through the tailings fraction, and wherein
air access points are provided for the sand channels to allow water contained in the tailings and sand to flow by gravity, through the sand channels, to water discharge points; and
recovering the water from the water discharge points.