Slurry cells can limit the overall pace of production, as only a limited number of cells can be built and filled simultaneously. It takes time to fill a cell, and even longer for deposited solids to dewater so that a cell can be covered to create space for a new layer in the same tailings impoundment. There are few alternatives to refuse impoundments and the slow solids densification of a typical slurry cell. Some of the alternatives include filtration using a twin-belt filter press, vacuum filtration, and others. While these options can ease tailings management issues and prolong the capacity of a tailings storage facility, they have significant drawbacks, including high capital start-up costs, labor and maintenance costs, and limited operational flexibility.
WaterShed optimizes conditions to allow for rapid drying and tailings consolidation, which accelerates water recovery and results in dry, stable tailings. By rapidly separating process water from tailings for conservation and reuse, WaterShed enables a mine to maintain safer tailings disposal practices, more cost-effective processes, and less water-intensive operations.
