Basin (Tailings)

A basin into which tailings is deposited.

Beach Profile

The linear or non-linear profile (longitudinal section) along a tailings beach.

There are three Beach Profile types:

•Cyclone Beach Profile (applicable to upstream cyclone deposition).

•Sub-aerial Beach Profile.

•Sub-aqueous Beach Profile.

Profile types are combined to form a Complex Profile that defines the beach from the deposition point to the base of the supernatant pond.

Beachhead

The highest elevation on the tailings beach.

This is also the location at which deposition occurs i.e. the start of the tailings beach.

Complex Beach Profile/Complex Profile

The profile describing the tailings beach from the deposition point to the pond base.

It comprises one or more beach profiles.

Consolidation (Tailings)

The process during which the tailings mass decreases in volume due to an applied stress.

During consolidation soil particles are packed more tightly together.

Tailings consolidation is generally accompanied by water expulsion.

Cyclone/Hydro-cyclone

A device used to classify or separate tailings particles. The incoming stream is divided into two streams:

•Underflow comprising coarser particles with a lower water content than the incoming stream.

•Overflow comprising finer particles with a higher water content than the incoming stream.

Cyclone Beach

The section of beach developed using tailings underflow from a cyclone during upstream cyclone deposition.

Cyclone beaches tend to be relatively steep and short.

Cyclone Deposition

The process whereby tailings is classified into underflow (coarser/dryer) and overflow (finer/wetter) components prior to, or during tailings deposition. Cyclone deposition may be:

•Upstream;

•Centreline; or

•Downstream.

Deposition (Tailings)

The process whereby tailings is deposited as a slurry. The slurry typically flows down a tailings beach to a supernatant pond.

Material generally segregates along the beach, with coarser material settling closer to the beachhead (deposition point).

The deposited material typically becomes progressively finer along the beach in the direction of the supernatant pond.

Centreline Deposition

For Centreline Deposition:

•An embankment is constructed to contain tailings that is deposited upstream of it.

•The embankment crest is raised vertically as the facility develops (Centreline).

•The embankment may be constructed of tailings.

•The embankment contributes significant to facility stability but there may be some reliance on tailings strength.

Downstream Deposition

For Downstream Deposition:

•An embankment is constructed to contain the tailings that is deposited upstream of it.

•The embankment crest moves in the downstream direction as it is raised.

•The embankment may be constructed of tailings.

•The embankment contributes significant to facility stability; generally tailings does not contribute to stability.

Upstream Deposition

For Upstream Deposition:

•Deposition points move upstream, in the direction that tailings is deposited.

•A small embankment may be constructed to contain discharged tailings; it has little or not contribution to facility stability.

•If constructed, the embankment may be constructed of tailings.

Deposition Line

Rift TD definition:

•A deposition structure used to generate a series of Deposition Vectors.

•Deposition Lines are lines in space through which Deposition Vectors pass.

•Deposition Points, from which deposition occurs, are generated along the Deposition Vectors as elevations are raised.

Deposition Node

Rift TD definition:

•A node that is used to generate a Deposition Vector.

•The Deposition Node is a point in space through which the Deposition Vector passes.

•Deposition Points, from which deposition occurs, are generated along the Deposition Vector as deposition elevations are raised.

Deposition Point

A point in space from which tailings deposition occurs.

They are generated by Deposition Vectors.

Deposition Raise

Deposition from all active Deposition Vectors for one raise as defined either:

•Manually; or

•Automatically using Raise Elevations and Raise Increments.

Deposition Sequence

Deposition from all all active Deposition Vectors that have the same Deposition Sequence (Number).

If all vectors have the same Sequence Number this is equivalent to a Deposition Raise.

To set Deposition Sequences use the Deposition Sequence data field provided by the Depositions Structures.

Deposition Structure

A Structure that generates Deposition Vectors from which deposition occurs. They comprise:

•Deposition Nodes.

•Deposition Paths.

•Deposition Lines.

Deposition Vector

A Vector in space along which Deposition Points are generated.

Deposition Vectors are generated by:

•Deposition Points.

•Deposition Lines.

•Deposition Paths.

DTM

Digital Terrain Model: A model representing surface topography.

Digital Terrain Models are comprised of Nodes and Elements.

Raise Elevations

Rift TD definition: Elevations that defines how deposition elevations are incremented along a Deposition Vector.

Deposition Points are raised from a start Raise Elevation to an end Raise Elevation in a number of Raise Intervals.

Raise Intervals

Rift TD definition: The number of intervals between two Deposition Elevations.

Deposition Points are raised from a start Raise Elevation to an end Raise Elevation in the specified number of Raise Intervals.

Sub-aerial Beach

The section of tailings beach above the supernatant pond.

Sub-aqueous Beach

The section of tailings beach below the supernatant pond.

Overflow

The fine, wet tailings stream generated by a hydro-cyclone.

Supernatant Pond

The pond formed on a tailings storage facility due to supernatant water release from a tailings slurry and/or precipitation.

Tailings

Mine ore residue.

Underflow

The coarse, dry tailings stream generated by a hydro-cyclone.

Vector Slope

Rift TD definition: A line that defines how deposition points move in the X-Y Plane (horizontally) as they are raised.