Performance study

How we increased tailings dam stability and water recovery at a large copper mine in Kazakhstan

At an Australian mine, we delivered a first-of-a-kind feedwell upgrade to an existing tailings thickener, substantially reducing operating costs and improving water sustainability.

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Key benefits

  • 6%

    Reduction in water to tailings

  • 27%

    Reduction in flocculant

  • 10 months

    Payback on feedwell upgrade

  • 2% w/w

    Increase in underflow density

Details of the performance study

CommodityCopper and Gold
TechnologyCustomised E-DUC® Autodilution Mechanism and E-Volute™ Feedwell
ApplicationTailings Thickener Feedwell Upgrade
Study typeCustomer Story
CountryAustralia

The custom-designed E-Volute™ feedwell with E-DUC® autodilution mechanism replaced an old bifurcated feedwell that had been supplied in the 1990s. We also provided onsite engineering support to ensure this complex project was completed smoothly. As a result of the work:

  • Flocculant consumption has fallen 27%
  • Underflow density has increased 2% w/w
  • Water to tailings has fallen 6%


Overall, payback was achieved in ten months. The new feedwell has also helped the mine reduce its raw water draw by helping to increase reuse of mine affected process water.

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