The Behaviour of Hydraulically Disposed Silty Iron Ore Tailings Under Static and Cyclic Loading

Dry stacking emerges as a prominent disposition method in the Brazilian mining industry, where filtered mine tailings compact onto hydraulically disposed tailings in pits. Challenges in obtaining saturated undisturbed samples of hydraulically disposed tailings elevate the importance of selecting a suitable reconstitution methods. Thus, the imperative lies in identifying a method accurately reflecting material behaviour. This study assesses the mechanical response of hydraulically disposed silty iron ore tailings (IOT) from a former mining pit using two distinct preparation methods: moist tamping (MT) and slurry deposition (SD). Specimens undergo thorough mechanical behaviour testing, including both monotonic and cyclic simple shear tests. Both methods precisely target the material’s highest observed void ratio (1.3) from its slurry composition. Results under the studied conditions reveal that MT and SD methods yield specimens with remarkably similar general behaviour. This finding not only underscores the efficacy of both preparation methods but also highlights their potential interchangeability. In conclusion, this study contributes crucial insights into the mechanical behaviour of hydraulically disposed silty iron ore tailings, emphasizing the significance of precise reconstitution techniques for accurate material representation.