MECHANICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF IRON MINE TAILING MATERIALS AND ANALYSIS ON DEFORMATION AND STABILITY OF TAILING DAM

Stability evaluation of tailing dam is the key procedure for tailing pond construction. The mineral types of tailings are quite complex, and are regional dependent. The characteristics of tailings are largely affected by mineral types, producing processes and deposited environments. This paper examines an ongoing designed iron mine tailings pond. It locates at Southwestern China. Specifically, this paper conducts a large number of physical and mechanical experiments for coarse and fine tailing materials, and obtained physical and mechanical parameters and applies them into tailing dam numerical simulation. It analyzes the stress and deformation properties of this tailing dam, and stability at different deposit elevations and different operation conditions. Furthermore, the quasi-static method is adopted to analyze the dynamic response of tailing dam under earthquake condition. Results show that coarse tailings present dilatancy and softening properties. In contrast, the dilatancy of fine tailings is not apparent. Compressive stress is commonly present inside tailing dam. There is a small part tensile stress area that appears on the surface of tailing dam. Tailing dam tends to happen deep slide at higher deposit elevation conditions. Additionally, the length of dry-beach has significant effects on dam stability. The ratio of dam stability increases with the increase of the length of dry-beach. In the end, some specific measures and suggestions are proposed for the tailing dam's safely operation. The results of this paper can provide a scientific basis for tailing dam design, construction and safely operation.