Process and system for improved reclamation of mined lands

• Main Authors: El-Shall, Hassan El-Sayed, Hazen, James Julian, Schmedeman, John Raymond
• Format: Patent
• Language: English
• Published: 13.07.2021
• Subjects: CHEMISTRY; EARTH DRILLING; FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS; FOUNDATIONS; HYDRAULIC ENGINEERING; METALLURGY; MINING; MINING OR QUARRYING; PERFORMING OPERATIONS; PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL; SEPARATION; SOIL SHIFTING; TRANSPORTING; TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE

A process and associated system for the improved reclamation of disturbed lands (e.g., mined lands) is disclosed. In particular, the system including a dewatering cyclone, a screw classifier, and a dewatering apparatus (e.g. a dewatering belt) arranged in series to enable rapid and cost effective dewatering of slurries containing dilute clay and sand tailings to create an improved engineered reclamation material (ERM). The ERM formed by the controlled combining of dewatered sand tailings with dilute clay slurry and with a flocculant and overburden. The ratio of clay:sand:overburden of the ERM may be achieved by balancing the solid content (Cw) and water content (1−Cw) materials of the clay slurry, sand tailings and overburden. In some embodiments, the system may include at least one additional component, such as, for example, static screen(s), centrifuge(s), vibrating screens, drum screens, belt screens, belt filters, and/or other liquid-solid separation devices.