Priargunsky Mining and Chemical Works, Krasnokamensk, Russia:

A. S. Bodrov, Chief Engineer of Central Research Laboratory

Applicability of thickened waste of hydrometallurgical uranium ore processing as backfill for underground mines is examined. The alternative use of mined-out areas for hydrometallurgical waste disposal is analyzed. The authors point at producibility of paste material from hydrometallurgical waste using coagulating agents – flocculants. An efficient flocculant is selected, and its optimal consumption is determined to reach the highest precipitation rate of solids in pulp slurry. The results of uniaxial compression tests of paste backfill with addition of cement are presented. The paste backfill strength versus cement consumption is determined. The minimum cement consumption for higher strength paste backfill is found. Radioactivity of paste material prepared from tailings of hydrometallurgical uranium ore processing is characterized. The history of density of radon flow from original paste material is described. The article discusses applicability of various insulating coatings in order to reduce radon emission intensity from paste backfill; the efficiency of such coatings is determined. It is shown that radon flow density from paste material lowers when the insulating coating thickness is increased. The further research objectives are identified.

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