# Paste Pipeline Transportation of Pumping Backfill Technology with Long Distance and High Stowing Gradient in Cold and High-Altitude Areas

Authors: Wei-jun Liu; Min Chen; Fei-fei Wang; Ren-ze Ou; Qi Liu
Journal: Advances in Civil Engineering
 (2021)

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## Abstract

A paste pipeline transportation of pumping backfill technology with long distance and high stowing gradient is proposed to solve the problem of filling slurry transportation with low concentration, the filling body poor quality, and the transportation difficulties with long distance and high stowing gradient in Heiniudong copper mine (HCM). The physical and chemical properties of the backfill material, backfill proportion test, circular pipe experiment, and backfill system analysis evaluation were studied in the laboratory and outdoor, and the application in HCM was carried out to evaluate the technology. The research results show the feasibility of considering classified tailings and binder as backfill aggregates, and the optimum proportion of cement-binder-classified tailings applied in the stope and goaf is 1 : 4 : 8 and 1 : 4 : 15, respectively, with paste rheological properties of mass fractions of both being 74%∼76% and the backfill strength of about 1.5 MPa at 28 d. Furthermore, when backfill proportions and rate of flow are 1 : 4 : 8 and 50 m3/h, the pressure loss of the pipeline is around 0.4 MPa/100 m, and the backfill pump meets the backfill requirements. On this condition, the technology is capable of obvious economic benefits with the backfill cost of only 25.56 yuan/t, remnant ore recovery rate of 80%, and new output value of 1.28 billion. It creates a precedent for the paste pumping backfill technology with long distance and high stowing gradient in cold and high-altitude areas. The technology also provides reference mining experience for similar mines.


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## Body

## 1. Introduction

With the development of mining industry and depletion of shallow resources, a large amount of domestically residual ore resources and excessive mined-out areas in shallow have been produced. Meanwhile, a huge amount of tailings are generated in the mining process. The deposition of these tailings requires a lot of land and brings about serious environmental problems [1]. For instance, nearly 250 million tons of waste rock and 500 million tons of tailings are produced in China annually. In addition, a large amount of domestically residual ore resource recycling is very important to many mines, and the mined-out areas existing in underground can easily cause geotechnical and environmental hazards, such as underground subsidence, stope, and regional instability [2]. Thus, the best way to deal with the problem is to utilize the tailings as a backfill material, returning them to mined-out areas through the cemented backfill technology (CBT) [3]. CBT plays a key role in the underground mining procedure. There are many different types of mining CBT, such as cemented hydraulic, rock, and paste backfill. And they have been widely used in many mines [4]. However, in the practical application of cemented backfill technology (CBT), a key problem is how to use the technology of pipeline transportation for transporting the backfill materials into the mined voids. In cemented backfill technology, self-flowing pipeline transportation backfill technology and the pumping backfill technology have been used widely and successfully in many mines in Australia, Canada, Europe, and other countries, only by taking the advantage of large elevation difference alone, namely, small stowing gradient, in slurry backfill industry. But the long-distance pipeline transportation with high stowing gradient is still an enormous challenge facing by the backfill system in many mines. Particularly, it is still a new technology in China. Nevertheless, domestically, the research on the paste pumping backfill system concerning long-distance pipeline transportation with high stowing gradient has been rarely concerned [5, 6]. Therefore, the relevant scholars and operators do a lot of exploratory research on the problem [7, 8]. On the issues, a paste-like self-flowing pipeline transportation backfill technology with long-distance pipeline transportation and high stowing gradient has been proposed to solve the difficult problems of deep mining in the Suncun Coal Mine (SCM) in 2008, and the backfill results have been proved to be effective [9].Heiniudong copper mine (HCM) is located in the south of Jiulong County, Ganzi Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Sichuan Province. The main ore resources are copper and zinc, and the elevation of the mine is 2900∼4000 m, which belongs to a typical cold and high-altitude area. At present, the upper mining area carries out residual mining and recovery, and the reserve of residual hole resources is rich, and it mainly uses the backfilling method to recover residual ores. In order to better recover residual ore resources, the existing backfilling system of the mine needs to meet the following conditions: the mass concentration of slurry needs to exceed 72%, and the filling capacity must be greater than 50 m3/h. The stowing gradient of the Heiniudong copper mine must be greater than 10, the range of gravity transportation of backfilling slurry must be small, and the backfilling slurry of most goaves must be transported under pressure. Therefore, in order to maximize the recovery of residual hole resources, pumping backfill technology (PBT) is the best choice for HCM.Hence, a paste pipeline transportation of pumping backfill technology (PBT) with long distance and high stowing gradient is proposed as a processing method at HCM [9]. The backfilling rheological properties are similar to cemented paste backfill (CPB) with mass fractions of 74%∼76% and also the technology has the characteristics of low cost, large capacity, high recovery, and environmental protection. Therefore, this paper focuses on the application of PBT in HCM. To achieve the goal, the paper is organized as follows: the paper presented the backfill material characteristics and the laboratory methods used by backfill material sampling tests and laboratory tests. After that, through the proportion test, the optimization proportion of the paste is identified. Finally, the circular pipe test and analysis of the backfill system are all used to evaluate the rationality of the technology. In the study, the technology meets the requirements of backfilling capability and safety with long distance and high stowing gradient in SCM. Furthermore, the technology features of reliability and stability are developed.


## 2. The Backfill Material and Tests

### 2.1. Requirements on the Backfill Materials

Binder, classified tailings, slag, water, and other industrial wastes are usually used in the main backfilling material [10, 11].


### 2.2. The Physical and Chemical Properties of Backfill Material

The classified tailings from HCM are selected as a backfill aggregate. The bagged cement is used as a cementing material, the binder is added as an activator, and water is mixed with the binders and classified tailings.The physical properties and chemical composition of backfill materials will affect the filling process parameters and pollute the underground working environment if they contain harmful ingredients. Therefore, the main physical and mechanical properties, chemical composition, and content of backfill materials should be measured accurately.Specific gravity tests of coarse aggregate were undertaken according to the specific gravity flask method. The dry density test was performed by using a small gravimeter. The hydraulic conductivity test was conducted according to ASTM D2734-68 (2014), and the constant head method was used to measure the water conductivity. The particle size distribution of backfill materials was studied through screening analysis based on the combined screening method and the proportion analysis method. The determination of chemical composition of the tailing test was conducted according to TP-BS6H (2014). The results are shown in Tables1 and 2.Table 1
Main physical properties of classified tailings and binders.
MaterialSpecial gravityBulk density (t·m−3)Void ratioMediate size (mm)Asymmetry indexAngle of rest in water (°)Angle of repose on water (°)Hydraulic conductivity (cm·s−1)Classified tailings2.461.340.51–0.590.177.231.532.959.1 × 10−4Binder2.250.910.49–1.310.022.1915171.23 × 10−4Table 2
Gradation of classified tailings particle size (%).
MaterialSize (mm)5∼22∼0.50.5∼0.250.25∼0.0750.075∼0.050.05∼0.005<0.005Classified tailings0.2411.227.738.29.37.55.86Binder0.532.132.410.78.5723.74


#### 2.2.1. Characteristics of Backfill Material

Table 3
Leaching test results of heavy metals in tailings samples.
Sample numberAnalysis items and content (mg/L)CuZnCdPbCr6+CrAlkyl mercuryHgXW-60.07261.87400.00710.09410.00480.0050Not detected0XW-70.07281.87220.00710.09420.00490.0052Not detected0XW-80.07211.86590.00720.09410.00470.0048Not detected0XW-90.06991.88010.00700.09390.00460.0047Not detected0XW-100.07301.87380.00710.09430.00480.0050Not detected0Average0.07211.87390.00710.09410.00490.0049Not detected0(1)
The main physical properties of classified tailings and binder are listed in Table1. As shown in Table 1, the specific gravity of the classified tailings is 2.46, the porosity is 0.51∼0.59 mm, and particle size of the classified tailings is 0.17 mm, respectively, and the high permeability coefficient (198.5 mm/h) is much higher than the required 100 mm/h. The initial setting time is short, making it an ideal aggregate. The graded tailings particles are well distributed, and the asymmetry index 7.5 is greater than 5, which is conducive to promoting the initial strength of the backfill body.(2)
The size grading of the classified tailings is shown in Table2, and the grain size distribution curves of the backfill material used are shown in Figure 1. It can be seen that the tailing particle size is fine-grained from the tailing particle size distribution (Figure 1). The percentage of classified tailing particles with a size smaller than 0.25 mm accounts for 60.86%, which contributes to the coagulation of the paste-like backfill body.(3)
The leaching test results of heavy metals in tailing samples are shown in Table3. It can be seen that the content of beneficial components and harmful components in the backfill material accounts for a relatively low proportion, so the backfill material can be selected as the backfill aggregate.


### 2.3. Proportion Test

To investigate the effect of consolidation characteristics and strength index on the backfill mixture with different binder proportions, tailing/slag ratios, and solid cement, five groups of paste-like samples were prepared with different proportions. The standard test moulds were then made [12–14]. After that, five groups of paste-like samples were ground into smooth parallel surfaces for UCS and TS testing [14–17]. All of the experimental values of UCS and TS tests are presented in Table 4. The weight and bleeding rate of the backfilling slurry are shown in Table 5, and the slump test results are listed in Table 6.(1)
Table4 clearly shows that when the backfilling body (cement : binder : classified tailings) of 1 : 4 : 6 or 1 : 4 : 8 has a mass fraction of 70%–78%, the uniaxial compressive strength at 28 days is more than 1.6 MPa. Similarly, when the filling ratio is 1 : 4 : 15 and the mass fraction is 70%∼78%, the 28 d uniaxial compressive strength is more than 0.6 MPa. It shows that the strength of the filling body can meet the requirements of the filling mining method.(2)
It can be seen from Table5 that, compared with the general backfilling materials with the bleeding rate of 4%∼9%, the slump of filling slurry of 1 : 4 : 8 or 1 : 4 : 15 is greater than the specified value of 160 mm, and the bleeding rate of filling slurry is about 2%∼4%, indicating that the filling slurry has good rheology and is conducive to slurry transportation, and the curing water performance of the backfilling body has been significantly improved. Therefore, the backfilling slurry is called paste slurry.(3)
Considering some of the economic and technological factors of the flowing pipeline transportation, it is recommended that the optimal ratio of backfilling (cement : binder : classified tailings) is 1 : 4 : 8, the mass fraction is 74%–76%, and the uniaxial compressive strength is approximately 1.5 MPa within 28 days. Further, the best proportion of the recommended vacuum area is 1 : 4 : 15, and its corresponding mass fraction and the single-axis compressive strength of 28 days are 74% to 76% and 0.6 MPa, respectively.(4)
Table6 shows that the rheological properties are very important characteristics, showing the flowing ability of the backfill mixture of slurry by gravity or outside force and the degree of backfill in underground mined voids, including the degree of slump, slump proliferation, and a diffusibility-to-slump ratio. The slump test of the backfill material shows that the average degree of slump is more than 21.6 cm, belonging to T4 grade, which conduces to pipeline transportation. Slump proliferation was more than 65.50 cm, which shows that the backfill mixture of the slurry has good flowing ability. The diffusibility-to-slump ratio varied from 3.0 to 3.25, which meets the requirement of preparation and transportation. Therefore, the rheological properties of backfill slurry with the suggested dosage are similar to cemented paste backfill slurry, called “paste” slurry. The paste has the characteristics of low bleeding rate and high slurry saturation rate.Table 4
Results of laboratory tests of cemented classified tailings.
No.Cement : binder : classified tailingsMass fraction of solid material (%)7 d uniaxial compressive strength28 d uniaxial compressive strengthStrength (MPa)Yield strength (MPa)Modulus of elasticity (MPa)Strength (MPa)Yield strength (MPa)Modulus of elasticity (MPa)11 : 3 : 6700.720.7365.071.731.72198.5321 : 4 : 6760.780.7442.731.981.96202.5731 : 4 : 6780.810.8138.742.042.04201.1341 : 4 : 8700.500.4940.551.611.51199.0251 : 4 : 8760.620.5941.021.641.59195.3861 : 4 : 8780.650.6528.521.801.80202.8871 : 4 : 10700.350.3626.991.241.24125.4881 : 4 : 10760.380.4224.551.331.29145.4691 : 4 : 10780.520.5414.321.441.42175.67101 : 4 : 15700.270.2623.220.640.5839.52111 : 4 : 15760.330.3125.660.690.6937.76121 : 4 : 15780.380.3514.740.800.8053.83131 : 4 : 18700.250.2715.620.360.3329.92141 : 4 : 18760.290.3113.310.390.4135.34151 : 4 : 18780.340.3311.240.450.4440.36Table 5
The weight and bleeding rate of the backfilling slurry.
No.Cement : binder : classified tailingsMass fraction (%)Weight (t/m3)Bleeding rate (%)11 : 4 : 8701.944.5221 : 4 : 8761.93.1431 : 4 : 8781.932.2641 : 4 : 15701.913.4151 : 4 : 15761.873.2361 : 4 : 15781.882.75Table 6
The values of the slump and slump spread of the backfilling slurry.
Cement : binder : classified tailingsMass fraction (%)Degree of slump (cm)Slump proliferation (cm)Slump proliferation/degree of slumpActual measurementAverageActual measurementAverage1 : 4 : 87621.521.665.465.503.021.765.621.665.51 : 4 : 157620.220.466.466.403.2520.466.520.666.3


## 2.1. Requirements on the Backfill Materials

Binder, classified tailings, slag, water, and other industrial wastes are usually used in the main backfilling material [10, 11].


## 2.2. The Physical and Chemical Properties of Backfill Material

The classified tailings from HCM are selected as a backfill aggregate. The bagged cement is used as a cementing material, the binder is added as an activator, and water is mixed with the binders and classified tailings.The physical properties and chemical composition of backfill materials will affect the filling process parameters and pollute the underground working environment if they contain harmful ingredients. Therefore, the main physical and mechanical properties, chemical composition, and content of backfill materials should be measured accurately.Specific gravity tests of coarse aggregate were undertaken according to the specific gravity flask method. The dry density test was performed by using a small gravimeter. The hydraulic conductivity test was conducted according to ASTM D2734-68 (2014), and the constant head method was used to measure the water conductivity. The particle size distribution of backfill materials was studied through screening analysis based on the combined screening method and the proportion analysis method. The determination of chemical composition of the tailing test was conducted according to TP-BS6H (2014). The results are shown in Tables1 and 2.Table 1
Main physical properties of classified tailings and binders.
MaterialSpecial gravityBulk density (t·m−3)Void ratioMediate size (mm)Asymmetry indexAngle of rest in water (°)Angle of repose on water (°)Hydraulic conductivity (cm·s−1)Classified tailings2.461.340.51–0.590.177.231.532.959.1 × 10−4Binder2.250.910.49–1.310.022.1915171.23 × 10−4Table 2
Gradation of classified tailings particle size (%).
MaterialSize (mm)5∼22∼0.50.5∼0.250.25∼0.0750.075∼0.050.05∼0.005<0.005Classified tailings0.2411.227.738.29.37.55.86Binder0.532.132.410.78.5723.74


### 2.2.1. Characteristics of Backfill Material

Table 3
Leaching test results of heavy metals in tailings samples.
Sample numberAnalysis items and content (mg/L)CuZnCdPbCr6+CrAlkyl mercuryHgXW-60.07261.87400.00710.09410.00480.0050Not detected0XW-70.07281.87220.00710.09420.00490.0052Not detected0XW-80.07211.86590.00720.09410.00470.0048Not detected0XW-90.06991.88010.00700.09390.00460.0047Not detected0XW-100.07301.87380.00710.09430.00480.0050Not detected0Average0.07211.87390.00710.09410.00490.0049Not detected0(1)
The main physical properties of classified tailings and binder are listed in Table1. As shown in Table 1, the specific gravity of the classified tailings is 2.46, the porosity is 0.51∼0.59 mm, and particle size of the classified tailings is 0.17 mm, respectively, and the high permeability coefficient (198.5 mm/h) is much higher than the required 100 mm/h. The initial setting time is short, making it an ideal aggregate. The graded tailings particles are well distributed, and the asymmetry index 7.5 is greater than 5, which is conducive to promoting the initial strength of the backfill body.(2)
The size grading of the classified tailings is shown in Table2, and the grain size distribution curves of the backfill material used are shown in Figure 1. It can be seen that the tailing particle size is fine-grained from the tailing particle size distribution (Figure 1). The percentage of classified tailing particles with a size smaller than 0.25 mm accounts for 60.86%, which contributes to the coagulation of the paste-like backfill body.(3)
The leaching test results of heavy metals in tailing samples are shown in Table3. It can be seen that the content of beneficial components and harmful components in the backfill material accounts for a relatively low proportion, so the backfill material can be selected as the backfill aggregate.


## 2.2.1. Characteristics of Backfill Material

Table 3
Leaching test results of heavy metals in tailings samples.
Sample numberAnalysis items and content (mg/L)CuZnCdPbCr6+CrAlkyl mercuryHgXW-60.07261.87400.00710.09410.00480.0050Not detected0XW-70.07281.87220.00710.09420.00490.0052Not detected0XW-80.07211.86590.00720.09410.00470.0048Not detected0XW-90.06991.88010.00700.09390.00460.0047Not detected0XW-100.07301.87380.00710.09430.00480.0050Not detected0Average0.07211.87390.00710.09410.00490.0049Not detected0(1)
The main physical properties of classified tailings and binder are listed in Table1. As shown in Table 1, the specific gravity of the classified tailings is 2.46, the porosity is 0.51∼0.59 mm, and particle size of the classified tailings is 0.17 mm, respectively, and the high permeability coefficient (198.5 mm/h) is much higher than the required 100 mm/h. The initial setting time is short, making it an ideal aggregate. The graded tailings particles are well distributed, and the asymmetry index 7.5 is greater than 5, which is conducive to promoting the initial strength of the backfill body.(2)
The size grading of the classified tailings is shown in Table2, and the grain size distribution curves of the backfill material used are shown in Figure 1. It can be seen that the tailing particle size is fine-grained from the tailing particle size distribution (Figure 1). The percentage of classified tailing particles with a size smaller than 0.25 mm accounts for 60.86%, which contributes to the coagulation of the paste-like backfill body.(3)
The leaching test results of heavy metals in tailing samples are shown in Table3. It can be seen that the content of beneficial components and harmful components in the backfill material accounts for a relatively low proportion, so the backfill material can be selected as the backfill aggregate.


## 2.3. Proportion Test

To investigate the effect of consolidation characteristics and strength index on the backfill mixture with different binder proportions, tailing/slag ratios, and solid cement, five groups of paste-like samples were prepared with different proportions. The standard test moulds were then made [12–14]. After that, five groups of paste-like samples were ground into smooth parallel surfaces for UCS and TS testing [14–17]. All of the experimental values of UCS and TS tests are presented in Table 4. The weight and bleeding rate of the backfilling slurry are shown in Table 5, and the slump test results are listed in Table 6.(1)
Table4 clearly shows that when the backfilling body (cement : binder : classified tailings) of 1 : 4 : 6 or 1 : 4 : 8 has a mass fraction of 70%–78%, the uniaxial compressive strength at 28 days is more than 1.6 MPa. Similarly, when the filling ratio is 1 : 4 : 15 and the mass fraction is 70%∼78%, the 28 d uniaxial compressive strength is more than 0.6 MPa. It shows that the strength of the filling body can meet the requirements of the filling mining method.(2)
It can be seen from Table5 that, compared with the general backfilling materials with the bleeding rate of 4%∼9%, the slump of filling slurry of 1 : 4 : 8 or 1 : 4 : 15 is greater than the specified value of 160 mm, and the bleeding rate of filling slurry is about 2%∼4%, indicating that the filling slurry has good rheology and is conducive to slurry transportation, and the curing water performance of the backfilling body has been significantly improved. Therefore, the backfilling slurry is called paste slurry.(3)
Considering some of the economic and technological factors of the flowing pipeline transportation, it is recommended that the optimal ratio of backfilling (cement : binder : classified tailings) is 1 : 4 : 8, the mass fraction is 74%–76%, and the uniaxial compressive strength is approximately 1.5 MPa within 28 days. Further, the best proportion of the recommended vacuum area is 1 : 4 : 15, and its corresponding mass fraction and the single-axis compressive strength of 28 days are 74% to 76% and 0.6 MPa, respectively.(4)
Table6 shows that the rheological properties are very important characteristics, showing the flowing ability of the backfill mixture of slurry by gravity or outside force and the degree of backfill in underground mined voids, including the degree of slump, slump proliferation, and a diffusibility-to-slump ratio. The slump test of the backfill material shows that the average degree of slump is more than 21.6 cm, belonging to T4 grade, which conduces to pipeline transportation. Slump proliferation was more than 65.50 cm, which shows that the backfill mixture of the slurry has good flowing ability. The diffusibility-to-slump ratio varied from 3.0 to 3.25, which meets the requirement of preparation and transportation. Therefore, the rheological properties of backfill slurry with the suggested dosage are similar to cemented paste backfill slurry, called “paste” slurry. The paste has the characteristics of low bleeding rate and high slurry saturation rate.Table 4
Results of laboratory tests of cemented classified tailings.
No.Cement : binder : classified tailingsMass fraction of solid material (%)7 d uniaxial compressive strength28 d uniaxial compressive strengthStrength (MPa)Yield strength (MPa)Modulus of elasticity (MPa)Strength (MPa)Yield strength (MPa)Modulus of elasticity (MPa)11 : 3 : 6700.720.7365.071.731.72198.5321 : 4 : 6760.780.7442.731.981.96202.5731 : 4 : 6780.810.8138.742.042.04201.1341 : 4 : 8700.500.4940.551.611.51199.0251 : 4 : 8760.620.5941.021.641.59195.3861 : 4 : 8780.650.6528.521.801.80202.8871 : 4 : 10700.350.3626.991.241.24125.4881 : 4 : 10760.380.4224.551.331.29145.4691 : 4 : 10780.520.5414.321.441.42175.67101 : 4 : 15700.270.2623.220.640.5839.52111 : 4 : 15760.330.3125.660.690.6937.76121 : 4 : 15780.380.3514.740.800.8053.83131 : 4 : 18700.250.2715.620.360.3329.92141 : 4 : 18760.290.3113.310.390.4135.34151 : 4 : 18780.340.3311.240.450.4440.36Table 5
The weight and bleeding rate of the backfilling slurry.
No.Cement : binder : classified tailingsMass fraction (%)Weight (t/m3)Bleeding rate (%)11 : 4 : 8701.944.5221 : 4 : 8761.93.1431 : 4 : 8781.932.2641 : 4 : 15701.913.4151 : 4 : 15761.873.2361 : 4 : 15781.882.75Table 6
The values of the slump and slump spread of the backfilling slurry.
Cement : binder : classified tailingsMass fraction (%)Degree of slump (cm)Slump proliferation (cm)Slump proliferation/degree of slumpActual measurementAverageActual measurementAverage1 : 4 : 87621.521.665.465.503.021.765.621.665.51 : 4 : 157620.220.466.466.403.2520.466.520.666.3


## 3. Circular Pipe Test

### 3.1. Pumping Test

The pumping of backfilling slurry has always been a very complex process in the filling system, involving complex parameters [18–20]. Therefore, the circular pipe test is needed to ensure the stability and reliability of the filling system [21, 22].According to the relevant research results of filling pumps at home and abroad [23, 24] and the design of the backfilling system of HCM, a seamless steel pipe with an inner diameter of 100 mm and a thickness of 7 mm and a piston backfilling pump, namely, HBT80/21-220s, are used for the test of graded tailings conveying circulating pipeline. It also includes other equipment, such as a speedometer, two pressure sensors, and some bends with a bending radius of 600 mm and a bending angle of 90°. The pipeline is connected by a quick connector, and the outlet of the filling pump is connected by a reducing pipe (thickness 7 mm and length 400 mm). According to the characteristics of the mine filling system, the pipeline is laid horizontally, with a total length of about 120 m, including the length of the horizontal pipe, reducer, and elbow. The layout of the test is shown in Figure 2.Figure 1
Grain size distribution curves of the backfill material.Figure 2
The layout of the circular pipe test. 1:p1; 2: p2; 3: velocity determination instrument; 4: HBT80/21-220s; 5: blender; 6: test position; 7: seamless steel pipe; 8: bend.In order to ensure the uniformity and rationality of the backfilling slurry, the slurry is prepared by manual feeding and metering. Three 0.75 m3 concrete mixers are used for uniform mixing, and the mixing time is required to be 5 to 6 minutes.As the charge pump moves back and forth in operation, the flow rate of the charge slurry fluctuates randomly. Therefore, it is of no value to determine the flow rate of backfilling slurry in this loop test. Therefore, the piston filling pump of hgbs80.21.220 shall operate at 13 times/min so that the flow of backfilling slurry can be guaranteed at 50 m3/h.Considering that the filling ratio of cement cemented graded tailings is 1 : 4 : 15, it is easier to transport through the pipeline than the filling material of 1 : 4 : 8. Therefore, the pumpability test of filling slurry was carried out with the filling ratio of 1 : 4 : 8 and the filling slurry concentration of 76%. In addition, on the premise that the filling flow is 50 m3/h, the pressure value of the inlet and outlet pipelines is measured at the following three times: start the pump, restart the pump after stopping for 20 minutes, and restart the pump after stopping for 1 hour. Therefore, the results are shown in Figures 3–5, where P1 and P2 are the values of test points 1 and 2, respectively, and dp1 = p1 − p2, and p∗ represents the average value of p.Figure 3
The inlet and outlet pressure of activation.Figure 4
The inlet and outlet pressure of 20-minute restarting.Figure 5
The inlet and outlet pressure of one-hour restarting.


### 3.2. Result of Analysis

As can be seen from Figure4 that, when the filling pump is started, the flow is 50 m3/h, and the pressure loss of 100 m long pipeline is about 0.4 MPa. Therefore, when the pipe length is 1691 m, it will be assumed that the pressure loss is about 6.76 MPa, which is basically consistent with the horizontal pipe resistance of 6.76 MPa calculated earlier. This shows that the calculated pipe resistance of the above ring pipe test is reasonable.Figure5 shows that if the filling pump is restarted after 20 minutes of shutdown, the pressure loss (about 0.7 MPa) increases significantly, indicating that the filling slurry still has a certain degree of settlement within 20 minutes, which will lead to the increase in pipeline pressure loss. Therefore, the filling pump can still provide pressure loss, indicating that the filling industrial pump meets the requirements of stable operation of the filling system.It can be seen from the main pressure results in Figure6 that the filling pump was restarted after it was stopped for 60 minutes, and the pressure loss of the pipeline exceeded 1.0 MPa. Through calculation, the pressure loss of 2000 m long pipeline exceeds 20 MPa, which cannot ensure the stability of the filling system. Therefore, the filling slurry in the filling pipeline needs to be discharged before restarting the filling pump.Figure 6
Backfill process: 1: tank; 2: cement storehouse; 3: binder storehouse; 4: spiral feeder; 5: high-seated field pond; 6: water; 7: horizontal sand silo; 8: belt conveyer; 9: hopper; 10: mixing tank; 11: densimeter; 12: backfilling pump; 13: pipeline; 14: stope.


## 3.1. Pumping Test

The pumping of backfilling slurry has always been a very complex process in the filling system, involving complex parameters [18–20]. Therefore, the circular pipe test is needed to ensure the stability and reliability of the filling system [21, 22].According to the relevant research results of filling pumps at home and abroad [23, 24] and the design of the backfilling system of HCM, a seamless steel pipe with an inner diameter of 100 mm and a thickness of 7 mm and a piston backfilling pump, namely, HBT80/21-220s, are used for the test of graded tailings conveying circulating pipeline. It also includes other equipment, such as a speedometer, two pressure sensors, and some bends with a bending radius of 600 mm and a bending angle of 90°. The pipeline is connected by a quick connector, and the outlet of the filling pump is connected by a reducing pipe (thickness 7 mm and length 400 mm). According to the characteristics of the mine filling system, the pipeline is laid horizontally, with a total length of about 120 m, including the length of the horizontal pipe, reducer, and elbow. The layout of the test is shown in Figure 2.Figure 1
Grain size distribution curves of the backfill material.Figure 2
The layout of the circular pipe test. 1:p1; 2: p2; 3: velocity determination instrument; 4: HBT80/21-220s; 5: blender; 6: test position; 7: seamless steel pipe; 8: bend.In order to ensure the uniformity and rationality of the backfilling slurry, the slurry is prepared by manual feeding and metering. Three 0.75 m3 concrete mixers are used for uniform mixing, and the mixing time is required to be 5 to 6 minutes.As the charge pump moves back and forth in operation, the flow rate of the charge slurry fluctuates randomly. Therefore, it is of no value to determine the flow rate of backfilling slurry in this loop test. Therefore, the piston filling pump of hgbs80.21.220 shall operate at 13 times/min so that the flow of backfilling slurry can be guaranteed at 50 m3/h.Considering that the filling ratio of cement cemented graded tailings is 1 : 4 : 15, it is easier to transport through the pipeline than the filling material of 1 : 4 : 8. Therefore, the pumpability test of filling slurry was carried out with the filling ratio of 1 : 4 : 8 and the filling slurry concentration of 76%. In addition, on the premise that the filling flow is 50 m3/h, the pressure value of the inlet and outlet pipelines is measured at the following three times: start the pump, restart the pump after stopping for 20 minutes, and restart the pump after stopping for 1 hour. Therefore, the results are shown in Figures 3–5, where P1 and P2 are the values of test points 1 and 2, respectively, and dp1 = p1 − p2, and p∗ represents the average value of p.Figure 3
The inlet and outlet pressure of activation.Figure 4
The inlet and outlet pressure of 20-minute restarting.Figure 5
The inlet and outlet pressure of one-hour restarting.


## 3.2. Result of Analysis

As can be seen from Figure4 that, when the filling pump is started, the flow is 50 m3/h, and the pressure loss of 100 m long pipeline is about 0.4 MPa. Therefore, when the pipe length is 1691 m, it will be assumed that the pressure loss is about 6.76 MPa, which is basically consistent with the horizontal pipe resistance of 6.76 MPa calculated earlier. This shows that the calculated pipe resistance of the above ring pipe test is reasonable.Figure5 shows that if the filling pump is restarted after 20 minutes of shutdown, the pressure loss (about 0.7 MPa) increases significantly, indicating that the filling slurry still has a certain degree of settlement within 20 minutes, which will lead to the increase in pipeline pressure loss. Therefore, the filling pump can still provide pressure loss, indicating that the filling industrial pump meets the requirements of stable operation of the filling system.It can be seen from the main pressure results in Figure6 that the filling pump was restarted after it was stopped for 60 minutes, and the pressure loss of the pipeline exceeded 1.0 MPa. Through calculation, the pressure loss of 2000 m long pipeline exceeds 20 MPa, which cannot ensure the stability of the filling system. Therefore, the filling slurry in the filling pipeline needs to be discharged before restarting the filling pump.Figure 6
Backfill process: 1: tank; 2: cement storehouse; 3: binder storehouse; 4: spiral feeder; 5: high-seated field pond; 6: water; 7: horizontal sand silo; 8: belt conveyer; 9: hopper; 10: mixing tank; 11: densimeter; 12: backfilling pump; 13: pipeline; 14: stope.


## 4. Backfill System

The backfill system consists of backfilling material preparation and storage unit, backfilling material mixing unit, and conveying unit [25].In recent years, dry sand bin is more and more widely used in China. Dry sand bin can be divided into vertical and horizontal sand bins. The sand is discharged by high-pressure water injection for the vertical sand bin, while it is difficult to control the flow and concentration. The horizontal sand silo uses rakes to deliver sand, combining with the mechanical mixing system. Flow rates and concentrations are easily controlled. Undoubtedly, the horizontal sand silo is supposed to be applied in the Heiniudong copper mine (HCM) [26].According to the requirements of the paste-like filling scheme, graded tailings are from the tailings of the concentrator, adhesives and other solid materials are from industrial waste, and cement is from cement plant [27]. Firstly, the unclassified tailings shall be deslimed and graded in the concentrator and then transported to the filling station.The graded tailings are transported to the horizontal sand bin by belt conveyer, drained and sent to the storage room, and then sent to the mixing tank through the vibrating feeder fixed at the bottom of the warehouse. The backfilling water is added to the mixing tank through the high-seated field pond. The cement and adhesive are transported by the tank truck, unloaded into the vertical sand bin and adhesive bin, respectively, and then enter the mixing tank through the bottom spiral feeder. When classified tailings, binder, cement, and other solid materials are all conveyed into the mixing tank, several types of backfill material will be automatically mixed by a control system, with different feeding speeds of different materials. Afterwards, the mixed backfill material is directly transported to the working face of the stope through the pipeline by the high-pressure pump. The backfilling process is shown in Figure6.


## 5. Application Evaluation in HCM

The feasibility of the mine backfilling system and backfilling process is verified by the backfilling industrial application. According to the industrial application of HCM, the results of the application show that the technology has the characteristics of low cost, large capacity, high recovery, good backfill effect, low accident, and environmental protection. The backfilling capacity of the backfilling process is 50 m3/h and 300 m3/d, which shows that it can fully meet the production requirements.The total investment of the backfilling system is about 10 million yuan, of which the mass fraction of backfilling slurry is 76%, and the backfilling cost is 63.68 yuan/m3 or 25.56 yuan/t. In addition, HCM can improve the overall recovery rate of mine residual ore by the filling method. It is estimated that 1,07,459 tons of copper can be recovered, with a value of 1.28 billion yuan. According to the current market price of the copper mine, it is about 12,000 yuan per ton. Furthermore, the land occupation of classified tailings decreases obviously, and the tailing dam management becomes easier. The backfilling mining can meet the requirements of environmental protection policies and produce more economic benefits.It can be seen from Figure7 that the contact roof filling effect is large, and the roof subsidence is only 1.32 mm, indicating that the pulp is densely distributed around the stope boundary, and the average compressive strength is 1.5 MPa, which improves the safety of mining. Therefore, it is feasible and reasonable to adopt the paste pumping and backfilling system with paste-like long-distance transportation and high stowing gradient in cold and high-altitude areas.Figure 7
Backfill effect.


## 6. Conclusion

(1)
According to the physical and chemical characteristics of HCM backfilling material, the particle size distribution range of the material is large, the grading is good, the content of useful minerals in tailings is small, and the content of harmful substances unfavorable to backfilling is very low. It is suitable for full tailings to be used as underground backfilling.(2)
According to the proportion test, the recommended optimum proportion (cement : binder : graded tailings) of stope and goaf is 1 : 4 : 8 and 1 : 4 : 15, respectively, and the mass fraction is 74%∼76%. The strength of the backfilling body meets the backfilling requirements.(3)
Through the circular pipe experiment, the backfilling pump, with the minimum pressure 13 MPa being afforded, is capable of meeting the requirements of the whole backfill system as the maximum pressure loss of the 2000 m long pipeline is 6–8 MPa when the flow rate is 50 m3/h.(4)
The technology introduced in this paper provides reference mining experience for the similar mines in terms of the backfill system in shallow as the application of new paste-like pumping technology with long distance and high stowing gradient at HCM is the successful case in China so far, especially in cold and high-altitude areas.



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*Source: 5287023-2021-12-17.xml*