West African Tailings Flow Behaviour Test Work:

Large scale loop tests were conducted to evaluate the minimum flow requirements for the transport of a fine tailings from a West African Mine. The objective of the test work was to determine the the implications on the existing pipeline installation of operating with a stationary bed. The test work showed that the material could be transported with a settled bed, but that there was an increased operational risk when re-starting the pipeline that could result in a blockage under certain conditions.