Minerals Engineering 98 (2016) 4048

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Minerals Engineering
journal homepage: www.elsevier.com/locate/mineng

Method-dependent variation of yield stress in a thickened gold tailings

explained using a structure based viscosity model
Shabnam Mizani , Paul Simms
Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering, Carleton University, Ottawa, Canada

a r t i c l e

i n f o

Article history:
Received 1 March 2016
Revised 14 June 2016
Accepted 21 July 2016

Keywords:
Tailings disposal
Rheology
Yield stress
Structure

a b s t r a c t
Mine tailings may be sufficiently dewatered prior to deposition such that they exhibit a yield stress and
therefore they will form gently sloped deposits, which result in a number of advantages from an
engineering perspective. Predicting the slope and the shape of these deposits at the field scale remains
challenging, and is probably the key technical unknown holding back more general adoption of thickened
tailings disposal in the mining industry. Methods for estimating the slope are very sensitive to rheological
data, in particular the yield stress. This paper presents data from rheometry on a gold tailings that
presents yield stress values in the range of 18125 Pa. A rheometer with a vane fixture was used in a
number of techniques, including controlled increments in strain rate to generate a flow curve, stress
relaxation, stress growth and creep techniques. A controlled stress technique was used to simulate the
stress history that the material would experience in the field as the tailings slow to a rest. The measured
yield stress varied substantially (18125 Pa) depending on the measurement method. This result is
explained using a structure based viscosity model, modified from work created by others working on
clays. Ageing and shear rate appear to be significant factors that influence the rheology, though the
mechanism for ageing may be partly due to gravity driven particle settling, as opposed to or in addition
to the buildup of a network structure.
2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

1. Introduction
Dewatering tailings using operations such as tank thickening,
in-line thickening, or filtration, is an increasingly common practice,
which is done to realize several possible benefits, including greater
water recovery and reuse, minimization of waste volume, and minimizing reliance on containment structures (dams or dyke). The
last advantage can be realized if the tailings are sufficiently dewatered to the point where they become a non-Newtonian fluid and
exhibit a yield stress, which allows them to be deposited in a
gently sloped stack. As the stack does not require confinement by
dams, this deposition method avoids the type of catastrophic failures (Recently in Minas Geiras Brazil, October 2015, Mount Polley
in British Columbia, Canada July 2014) that unfortunately occur
with some regularity (ICOLD, 2001). Increasing density comes with
increased cost, and whether a given density is economically viable
depends on site-specific requirements such as transport distance,
topography, rate of mining, and cost and availability of land and
water.

Corresponding author.
E-mail address: shabnammizani@cmail.carleton.ca (S. Mizani).
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.mineng.2016.07.011
0892-6875/ 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

The slope of mature deposits (after a few years of operation)

ranges between 1.5% and 5%. Predicting this slope remains
challenging. This is in part due to complex flow behavior during
deposition. Tailings may transit from some symmetrical spreading
or slumping types flow, to flowing in channels formed by erosion of
previously deposited tailings by the tailings stream itself (Mizani
et al., 2013; Simms et al., 2011). The most commonly used
predictive methods in assume that the self-eroding behavior of
channels will limit the slope of large deposits (Fitton et al., 2008;
McPhail, 2008). Both methods imply strong dependence of slope
on (i) the rheology and (ii) the flow rate at deposition. Sensitivity
to yield stress is high, and therefore uncertainty in this parameter
is problematic.
Various methods for measuring the yield stress have been
developed, with more data available from concentrated suspensions than for high density tailings (Keentok, 1982; Magnin and
Piau, 1987; Dzuy and Boger, 1983; Gawu and Fourie, 2004). Some
methods rely on rheometers using various fixtures, while others
are simpler, such as the slump test (Pashias et al., 1996). While
there is no universally accepted method for measuring yield stress,
some are more popular than others (i.e. vane method). The vane
fixture has shown to have certain advantages for concentrated
suspensions, including elimination off wall slip and minimization

S. Mizani, P. Simms / Minerals Engineering 98 (2016) 4048

of the particle size effect (Gawu and Fourie, 2004; Liddell and
Boger, 1996). Moreover, sample disturbance during vane intrusion
is minimized. For instance, Yoon and Mohtar (2013) showed that
large strains (sample disturbance) occurring in bentonite suspensions during cone placement resulted in underestimation of yield
stress values compared to measurements using a vane geometry.
A common issue encountered in yield stress fluids is variability
in the results when different techniques are employed. Variation in
the results are often associated with the time scale of the technique, definition of yield stress and the principle inherited in each
method (Cheng, 1986; Nguyen and Boger, 1992; Nguyen et al.,
2006). Nguyen et al. (2006) compared the yield stress values
obtained on TiO2 suspensions, from 6 different laboratories, each
using several techniques, and observed that while there exists a
variation between different techniques, larger variations were
observed among different laboratories. Considering the timedependency and shear dependency behavior of the tested suspension, Nguyen et al. (2006) proposed that the variations in yield
stress was likely due to differences in sample preparation.
Another approach to estimate this is to simulate deposition in
the laboratory and back-calculate yield stress analytically from
experiments on bench scale flows. Early studies focused on relating
the slope in a flume test to the materials rheology (Sofra and
Boger, 2001; Kwak et al., 2005); however these ignored the fact
that the slope of even bench scale deposits varies with the size of
the deposit. More recently, data from laboratory flume have been
fitted by equations derived from lubrication theory, which implicitly handles scale dependency. Several researchers have developed
equations for the profiles of static deposits of a Bingham fluid using
lubrication theory to reduce the Navier-Stokes equation (e.g., Yuhi
and Mei, 2004). These equations have been successfully applied to
bench scale deposits for hard rock tailings and finer-grained tailings from overburden (Simms, 2007; Henriquez and Simms,
2009; Mizani et al., 2013). Mizani et al. (2013), however, showed
that the yield stress back-calculated from such methods may be
dependent on deposition time, as the tailings begin to settle even
as they flow. This settling behavior leads to consideration that
the apparent yield stress of the material is dependent on shear history and ageing, as explored by Coussot et al. (2002a,b) for clays.
This paper presents measurements of the yield stress of a high
density gold tailings using a number of different techniques. As
will be shown, the variation in rheology measured by the different
techniques can be explained by shearing and ageing phenomena,
and can be modelled using a structure based viscosity model, similar to the model proposed by Coussot et al. (2002a).

41

2. Materials and methods

2.1. Materials
Gold mine tailings were shipped from a gold mine with process
water to the laboratory. The specific gravity of solid phase is 2.9
(ASTM D854, 2000). The particle size distribution was determined
by the combination of sieve (mechanical technique) and hydrometer analyses results based on ASTM D 422-63 (2002) and is shown
in Fig. 1.
Geotechnical parameters Liquid Limit (LL), and Plastic Limit (PL)
were 22.5%, 20% respectively (ASTM D4318, 2000). Mineralogical
composition was: Silicates 80%, Pyrite 11%, Calcite 5%, and Ankerite
4%. Chemical analysis of tailings liquid phase showed the concentration of important dissolved ionic species: Sodium (394 mg/L),
Arsenic (95.3 mg/L), Copper (126 mg/L) Magnesium (2010 mg/L)
Calcium (7030 mg/L), iron (31,100 mg/L), (Al-Tarhouni, 2008).
The tailings were transported from the gold mine in 20 L pails at
Cs (solid concentration) = 72%. Which is equivalent to Cv (solids by
volume) = 47%. Due to agitation during transport, the tailings
released water and formed a cake of about Cs = 80%, and homogenization was required to remix the tailings with the bleed water
produced by settling in order to re-produce the tailings at higher
water contents. Subsequent to remixing the tailings at higher
water content, under quiescent conditions, the tailings inevitably
settle to a solids content of 76% within 48 h. Data from two settling
tests at two different initial heights are shown in Fig. 2. Investigations of behavior during bench-scale simulations of deposition
show tailings release water even as they are flowing, and therefore
could effect interpretation of rheometry (Mizani et al., 2013).
2.2. Methods
The rheology of the tailings was measured using (i) a rheometer
with a vane fixture employing various controlled stress or strain
paths, and (ii) using the slump test to measure yield stress. Each
method is described as follows:
2.2.1. Slump test
Yield stress was extrapolated from the slump tests using the
method of Pashias et al. (1996). The slump test is considered to
offer reliable estimates of yield stress for values less than 200 Pa
(Roussell and Coussot, 2005). The slump test has been shown by
others to be a reliable method for yield stress measurement of

Fig. 1. Particle size distribution of gold tailings for different samples.

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S. Mizani, P. Simms / Minerals Engineering 98 (2016) 4048

other time-independent materials such as mineral tailings suspensions (Clayton et al., 2003; Pashias et al., 1996; Boger, 2009).
In these tests, the samples were mixed (250 rpm for 1 min in a
static mixer) then placed In the cylindrical slump containers
(Height and diameter of 0.30 m), which were immediately inverted
and then raised.
As per Pashias et al. (1996), the yield stress was calculated from
the slump by the following equation:

sy



1 1 p0

s qgH
2 2

3. Results
3.1. Slump tests
Yield stress values for a range of densities estimated by the
slump test are shown in Fig. 3. The values are well-constrained
for wet samples (Cs < 74%). The variability in yield stress at the
drier end is consistent with results reported by other authors for
tailings (e.g. Gawu and Fourie, 2004). For 72% solids the yield stress
is 30 Pa.

where s0 is the dimensionless slump = z/H.

3.2. Flow curves

2.2.2. Rheometry
All rheometry data were obtained using an Anton Paar Physica
MCR Rheometer and employing an air mounted vane fixture. The
vane consists of four thin blades arranged around a central shaft,
of height 40 mm and diameter of 22 mm. Immediately after mixing
of the sample to the target solids concentration (using a static
mixer at a setting of 250 rpm for one minute), the sample was
poured into a cylindrical sample holder (part number CC27) with
a diameter of 28.92 mm. The vane was always submerged by a
minimum of 2 cm depth of tailings throughout all tests. The small
gap size between cup and vane will reduce the potential for non
Newtonian shear rate effects (Klein et al., 1995). However, the
gap size is several times larger than the largest particle which
prevents larger particles bridging the gap and jamming the
apparatus.
The techniques employed to measure the yield stress were:

Flow curves were performed by increasing stresses to 400 Pa

and then decreasing using a measuring point duration of 0.5 s.
No sensitivity to measurement point duration is shown above
0.5 s. Fig. 4 shows the data over total measurement periods of
7.5 and 60 s respectively. Beyond a shear rate of about 20 s1 the
data is fairly linear and can be fitted by a Bingham model.
At low shear rates, however, the data is non-linear and exhibits
hysteresis. Fig. 5 shows ascending and descending flow curves for
different maximum shear rates (545 s1) - Only the data for shear
rates less than 10/s are shown for clarity. The ascending branches
exhibit some shear history effects, as the apparent viscosity
decreases with each branch. The descending branches are fairly
consistent, and the residual stress on the vane for the measuring
point at zero shear rate ranges between 46 and 52 Pa.

0.45

Gravimetric Water Content

Conventional flow curve strain rate is increased in steps from

zero or decreased from a high rate. In a given step, after an equilibrium value of stress is achieved, the strain rate is increased or
decreased.
Stress growth application of a low and constant shear rate.
Yield stress is taken to be the peak or maximum stress
measured.
Controlled stress stress is increased or decreased in increments, strain is monitored.
Stress relaxation in this mode the material is first sheared at a
constant shear rate. The speed is then reduced slowly or
suddenly to zero. The yield stress is defined as the residual
stress exerted by the material on the vane (Dzuy and
Boger, 1983).

0.5

0.4

0.35

0.3

0.25

0.2

50

100

150

200

250

300

Yield Stress (Pa)

Fig. 3. Yield stress values at various water content using the slump test. Values
calculated using Eq. (1) and curve is best fitted to experimental data.

180
160

Shear Stress (Pa)

140
120
100
7.5 sec

80

60 sec
60
40
20
0

Fig. 2. Settling behavior of thickened gold tailings in columns.

50

100

150

200
250
Shear Rate (1/s)

300

350

400

450

Fig. 4. Flow curves measured over 7.5 s and 60 s for tailings at 72% solids.

43

S. Mizani, P. Simms / Minerals Engineering 98 (2016) 4048

160

140

120

Shear Stress (Pa)

100
First Ramp up (5 1/s)

80

Second ramp down (5 1/s)

First ramp up (10 1/s)

60

Second ramp down (10 1/s)

First ramp up (45 1/s)

40

Second ramp down (45 1/s)

20

0
0

10

Shear Rate (1/s)

Fig. 5. Flow curves at low shear rate region for tailings at 72% solids.

3.3. Stress relaxation

3.5. Stress growth

Fig. 6 illustrates the results of this test conducted on samples

prepared at Cs = 72% for different shear rates. The yield stress
was measured after three different periods of shearing under constant shear rates (5, 10, 15 s1). The yield stress measured immediately after the cessation of shearing was consistent (1618 Pa). The
subsequent increase of stress measured on the vane with time may
be due to settling behavior, as horizontal pressure would increase
as the material densifies.

The maximum stress recorded in the stress growth tests varied

with the shear rate, shown in Fig. 8, though the variation is relatively small, within 90120 Pa for shear rates from 0.1/s to 100/s.
The equilibrium viscosity, however, varies over several orders of
magnitude, as shown in Fig. 9.
3.6. Controlled decreasing shear stress
When it comes to deposition of high density tailings, the yield
stress of interest is the yield stress that characterizes where the
material flow cease (low shear rate values). Therefore, several controlled stress tests were conducted to attempt to mimic the stress
history of tailing as they slow to a stop. Samples were sheared for a
fixed time at values of constant stress decreasing in steps. Fig. 10
illustrates one of these tests where the stress was decreased from
150 Pa to 10 Pa in only 90 s. That is, each stress was exerted on the
tailings for only 10 s.
The test shows a substantial slowing of the material when the
stress dropped below 75 Pa, whereas no significant movement of

3.4. Creep under controlled stress

Constant stresses varying from 10 to 150 Pa were applied in
steps. Each stress was maintained on the sample for a constant
time of 1 min.
Fig. 7 illustrates the viscosity-time profile for tailings prepared
at 72% solid content. For shear stresses below 115 Pa, the strain
reached a constant level (motion stopped). For higher stresses,
the viscosity tending to equilibrate at a set value, with higher stresses giving lower equilibrium values.

120

Shear Stress (Pa)

shear rate=15/s

shear rate=5/s

100

shear rate=10/s

80

60

40

off

off

off

20

0
0

500

1000

1500

Time (s)
Fig. 6. Stress relaxation test for tailings at Cs = 72%.

2000

2500

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S. Mizani, P. Simms / Minerals Engineering 98 (2016) 4048

100000

10000

150 Pa

130 Pa

120 Pa

115 Pa

110 Pa

100 Pa

50 Pa

20 Pa

Viscosity (Pa.s)

1000

100

10

1
0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

Time (s)
Fig. 7. Viscosity-time profile for sample prepared at 72% solids.

140
120

Shear Stress (Pa)

Measurd 0.1 / s
100

Measured 10 / s
Measured 100 / s

80
60
40
20
0
0.01

0.1

10

100

Time (s)
Fig. 8. Stress growth tests for samples at 72% solids.

1000

Viscosity (Pa.s)

Measured 100(1/s)
100

Measured 10(1/s)
Measured 0.1(1/s)

10

20

40

60

80

100

Time (s)
Fig. 9. Viscosity plots for samples at 72% solids for different rotational speed.

120

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S. Mizani, P. Simms / Minerals Engineering 98 (2016) 4048

8000

7000

Strain (%)

6000

5000

4000

3000

150 (Pa)

125(Pa)

100(Pa)

75(Pa)

50(Pa)

40(Pa)

30(Pa)

20(Pa)

10

2000

1000

0
0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

Time (s)
Fig. 10. Constant decreasing stresses applied to samples prepared at 72% solids. Each stress was applied for 10 s.

1,000

Viscosity (Pa.s)

100

10

75 Pa (10s)

100 Pa (10s)

125 Pa (10s)

150 Pa( 10s)

150 Pa (200s)

125 Pa (200s)

100 Pa (200s)

150 Pa (30min)

125 Pa (30min)

0
1

10

100
Time (s)

1000

10000

Fig. 11. Viscosity versus time in three controlled decreasing stress tests on samples at 72% solids, initially sheared at 150 Pa and subsequently sheared at values decreasing by
25 kPa. The duration of each shear step was 10 s, 200 s, and 30 min in the three different tests.

the vane was recorded when the stress reached 30 Pa (strain rate of
0 (s1)). This test was also repeated at different shearing times,
where stress was held for 200 s and 30 min for each step. The viscosity profile for all three tests is shown in Fig. 11, which shows
jumps in viscosity at 75, 100, and 125 Pa.
4. Comparison between different yield stress measurements
Table 1 summarizes the results obtained using different rheometry techniques and slump test.
While there is some consistency for those tests that impose
increasing value of shear and strain (stress growth, controlled
shear in increasing steps, ascending flow curve) for a value of
90125 Pa, there is clearly a large discrepancy with the results of
tests that decrease shear and strain (slump, stress relaxation, controlled decreasing shear). For these latter tests, the duration of the
test affects the measurement, with tests with shorter duration

having the lowest yield stress value: The stress relaxation test is
almost instantaneous, the slump lasts a few seconds.
5. Discussion
To explain the results, two viscosity models were empirically fit
to the rheological data. Both are variants on the model developed
by Coussot et al. (2002a). In this model, transition from solid-like
to liquid-like behavior is described by viscosity bifurcation rather
than by a yield stress. Viscosity is related to a structure term,
which is itself governed by ageing (rate of restruction) and shear
rate (rate of destruction), as per the following equations:

g g0 1 kn

dk 1
 ac_ k
dt h

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S. Mizani, P. Simms / Minerals Engineering 98 (2016) 4048

Table 1
Yield stress estimates from different rheometry techniques for gold tailings at
Cs = 72%.
Technique

Yield stress
(Pa)

Flow curve, Bingham fit ascending

Flow curve, final point on descending branch
Stress relaxation
Threshold for infinite strain under controlled stress tests with
increasing steps in shear
Stress growth (minimum peak value at controlled shear rate of
0.1 s1)
Threshold stress at which sharp increase in viscosity was
observed under controlled decreasing stresses
Slump test

125
4552
1822
115
90
75, 100,
125a
30

a
For stress steps of 10 s, 200 s and 1800 s respectively and times before viscosity
jump of 30 s, 400 s, and 1800 s.

where k is state of structure, g is the viscosity, g0 is the viscosity

the material achieves at a structure-less state (where k is 0), h is
the rate of structure growth due to ageing (assumed to be constant
with time) and a is a rate term governing reduction of structure by
shearing, and n relates viscosity to structure in Eq. (2). The Coussot
model does not contain an explicit yield stress, instead, yield stress
behavior is manifested through changes in viscosity. Under constant stress the viscosity will monotonically increase or decrease,
which depends on the material parameters a, h, and g0 and also
the structure value at the start of shear.
The Coussot model is applied to the constant stress creep tests.
Data presented in Fig. 7 are re-plotted in Fig. 12, for various stress
100000

levels, from 20 Pa to 150 Pa. Three distinct regions may be identified. For stress levels below 100 Pa, viscosity increases to the point
where flows come to an apparent stoppage. For stress levels above
150 Pa, the viscosity decreases monotonically over time. Between
these two values, the viscosity alternates between increasing and
decreasing states. It is apparent from Fig. 12 that the Coussot
model is not capable of capturing the material behavior over this
intermediate range, despite capturing the bifurcation of viscosity.
This maybe due to the assumption of a single characteristic time
for the ageing term (Coussot et al., 2002b). It is noted that the bentonite suspensions used by Coussot et al. (2002b) showed an opposite behavior to the above gold tailings in the intermediate range.
That is, for that material, the viscosity decreased initially but dramatic ageing was seen over longer times of shearing over a longer
period of shearing to a point where shear rate approaches zero.
One potential source of error for application of the Coussot
model, and indeed, a potential explanation for some of the variance
in yield stress reported by the different techniques, is the possibility of coarse particles settling out of the suspension. As reported by
Klein et al. (1995), settling in concentrated suspensions may affect
rheometry measurements if grain size segregation occurs. In order
to investigate particle separation in the gold tailings, two samples
were collected at the top and bottom of the cup after 5 min of
shearing at a constant shear stress of 150 Pa. These samples were
analyzed for grain size distribution using sieve and hydrometer
methods (ASTM D 422-63, 2002), and the results are shown in
Fig. 13. No significant segregation was observed despite a settlement of 12 mm that occurred during the shearing of the tailings.

20 Pa
50 Pa

10000

100 Pa
115 Pa

Viscosity (Pa.s)

120 Pa

1000

130 Pa
150 Pa
Coussot 50 Pa

100

Coussot 100Pa
Coussot 150Pa
Coussot 200Pa

10

0.1

10

100

Time (s)
Fig. 12. Viscosity versus time as predicted by the Coussot model and as measured by the rheometer, for h = 0.5 and g0 = 1.2.

Fig. 13. Particle size distribution (PSD) of particles collected at the top and bottom after shearing the sample at 150 Pa for 5 min.

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S. Mizani, P. Simms / Minerals Engineering 98 (2016) 4048

dk kmax  k

 ac_ k
dt
h

This ageing term causes the rate of structure buildup to be faster at low values of structure and to decrease as the structure term
increases, thereby reflecting the effect of density changes due to
settling. The value for g0 was assumed to be equal to the final viscosity reached after substantial time at the high shear rate of
150 Pa. The value of the ageing term was found from the stress
relaxation test (when the vane is stopped and shear rate is zero).
Values for kmax, and a were then obtained through calibration so
as to arrive at best fits for all the creep tests (Fig. 13) and stress
growth tests (Fig. 14). When compared to the original model, the
fits in the 100130 Pa range are improved. The modification does
two important things: first, all viscosity values will eventually tend
to a different final viscosity value, depending on the constant shear
stress value, second, this limits the maximum viscosity reached for
the low shear stresses (100 Pa and lower).
In Fig. 15 the modified model is applied to the stress growth
data presented in Fig. 8. A very good fit can be obtained to the data
from the two lower shear rates (0.1 and 10 s1), and somewhat of
an overestimate (15%) of peak stress for the highest shear rate

160
140
120
Shear Stress (Pa)

This result is not surprising, as thickened tailings deposits usually

exhibit grain size homogeneity at the field scale.
The gold tailings tested here are different from bentonite suspensions in that gold tailings start dewatering at least within a
few minutes (Fig. 2). The increase in solid concentration would
mean that the material will exhibit higher viscosity (Fig. 3) thus
a higher value for the structure term. Thus, ageing in the case
of the gold tailings is due to settling induced dewatering, as well
as true thixotropic processes that occur at constant density. The
processes are no doubt entangled, as flocculation increases effective particle size, which may have either positive and negative
effects on settling rate. Flocculation increases effective particle size
and therefore may increase sedimentation rate, but increasing
effective particle size may also increase particle to particle interferences (Abel et al., 1994; DAvino and Maffettone, 2015).
We decided to empirically modify the ageing term in Eq. (3) to
be dependent on the structure value in relation to some maximum
structure value:

100
80
60
Measurd 0.1 / s
Predicted 0.1 / s
Measured 10 / s
Predicted 10 / s
Measured 100 / s
Predicted 100 / s

40
20
0
0

10

20

30
Time (s)

40

(100 s1), using the same parameters used to model the creep data,
excepting a lower structure-less viscosity value (0.45 Pa s instead
of 0.5 Pa s). Using a value of 0.5 Pa s still results in a relatively good
fit for the 0.1 s1 data and 10 s1 data (overestimate of peak stress
by 8 and 10 Pa respectively, less than 10%), but a poorer fit for the
100 s1 data (overestimate of peak stress by 30 Pa, or 24%).
Though both the original Coussot model and the modified
model are not perfect, they reasonably explain the ageing and
shearing processes in the tailings. While the use of Coussot model
is empirical, viscosity bifurcation appears to explain the discrepancy between measurements of yield stress by the different
rheometry techniques.

6. Practical implications
Most commonly used methods to predict tailings geometry
assume constant rheology, and often a constant yield stress and
viscosity. However, this study has shown that the apparent yield
stress and viscosity of gold and most likely other hard rock tailings

20 pa
50 Pa
10000

100 Pa
115 Pa

Viscosity (Pa s)

120 Pa
1000
130 Pa
150 Pa
100

Mode 50 Pa
Model 100 Pa
Model 120 Pa

10
Model 130 Pa
Model 150 Pa
1
1

60

Fig. 15. Modelled stress growth tests, using the same parameters for Fig. 10 except
g0 = 0.45 Pa s.

100000

0.1

50

10

100

Time (s)
Fig. 14. Creep tests modelled using modified model (g0 = 0.5 Pa s, n = 1, kmax = 104, h = 100, a = 0.43).

1000

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S. Mizani, P. Simms / Minerals Engineering 98 (2016) 4048

varies depending on the stress history, even when the material is at

a constant density. The apparent (or effective) yield stress, used for
calculating flow in a self-eroding channel or even in a pipe, would
be different than the yield stress used in a model to predict tailings
geometry that is based on force equilibrium.
7. Summary and conclusions
The rheology of gold tailings was investigated using a range of
rheometry techniques employing a vane fixture. Methods that
imposed an increase of shear stress and shear rate on samples at
a chosen density (72% solids by mass) gave yield stress values
between 90 and 125 Pa. Conversely, methods that simulated the
tailings slowing to a stop gave values ranging from 18 Pa up to
125 Pa. The latter results appear to be correlated with the time of
the test tests that imposed longer periods of shearing gave higher
yield stress values.
Two structure based viscosity models were applied to the data,
the original model of Coussot et al. (2002a) and a modified version
that changed the ageing parameter to be dependent on some maximum structure value. The modified model somewhat improved
fits to experimental data, presumably because the ageing term
better reflects the influence of settling. Both models explain the
variation in yield stress appropriate for capturing the point at
which the material slows to rest as a function time essentially,
the ageing term increases the viscosity while the tailings are still
flowing.
The next step of the research would be to incorporate such
models into flow predictions, such as already done for different
materials by Hewitt and Balmforth (2013).
Acknowledgement
This work was funded by grants to the second author by Natural
Science and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) and
Barrick Gold Corporation. The authors would also like to thank
Prof. David F. James for his helpful comments and supports.
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Tailings Under Simple Shear Loading M.Sc. Thesis. Carleton University.
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