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British Columbia Mine Reclamation Symposium
Oil sands tailings technology : understanding the impact to reclamation Mamer, Melinda
Abstract
Managing tailings is a critical component in the development of oil sands mines; the choice of tailings technology impacts reclamation schedules and outcomes. When tailings are released to a pond, a layer forms called Mature Fine Tailings (MFT) which is made up of fine clay particles suspended in water. The challenge is that MFT do not settle within a reasonable timeframe. As a result, Suncor has needed more and larger oil sands tailings ponds to store MFT over the years. In the 1990s, Suncor Energy pioneered consolidated tailings technology to accelerate the consolidation of MFT. Tailings Reduction Operations (TRO) is a new approach to tailings management. TRO is the process of mixing MFT with a polymer flocculent, then depositing it in thin layers and allowing it to dry. This new process has significant benefits such as: accelerating reclamation, reducing the need for more tailings ponds and reducing the existing inventory of MFT. Suncor began reclamation of tailings in 1971 with varied success. The development of Consolidated Tailings technology required new reclamation techniques and resulted in significant research. Examples of existing tailings reclamation will be discussed. The impact of TRO on reclamation schedules and closure plans will also be discussed.
Item Metadata
Title |
Oil sands tailings technology : understanding the impact to reclamation
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Creator | |
Contributor | |
Date Issued |
2010
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Description |
Managing tailings is a critical component in the development of oil sands mines; the choice of tailings
technology impacts reclamation schedules and outcomes. When tailings are released to a pond, a layer
forms called Mature Fine Tailings (MFT) which is made up of fine clay particles suspended in water.
The challenge is that MFT do not settle within a reasonable timeframe. As a result, Suncor has needed
more and larger oil sands tailings ponds to store MFT over the years. In the 1990s, Suncor Energy
pioneered consolidated tailings technology to accelerate the consolidation of MFT. Tailings Reduction
Operations (TRO) is a new approach to tailings management. TRO is the process of mixing MFT with a
polymer flocculent, then depositing it in thin layers and allowing it to dry. This new process has
significant benefits such as: accelerating reclamation, reducing the need for more tailings ponds and
reducing the existing inventory of MFT.
Suncor began reclamation of tailings in 1971 with varied success. The development of Consolidated
Tailings technology required new reclamation techniques and resulted in significant research. Examples
of existing tailings reclamation will be discussed. The impact of TRO on reclamation schedules and
closure plans will also be discussed.
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Genre | |
Type | |
Language |
eng
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Date Available |
2010-12-08
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Provider |
Vancouver : University of British Columbia Library
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Rights |
Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International
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DOI |
10.14288/1.0042580
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URI | |
Affiliation | |
Peer Review Status |
Unreviewed
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Scholarly Level |
Unknown
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Copyright Holder |
British Columbia Technical and Research Committee on Reclamation
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Rights URI | |
Aggregated Source Repository |
DSpace
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Item Media
Item Citations and Data
Rights
Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International