Report B Integrated Oil Sands Tailings Treatment Technologies March 2010 PDF

Part B Report
A Screening Study
of
Oil Sand Tailings Technologies and Practices
Prepared for
Alberta Energy Research Institute

AERI Contract 2008 0326
REVISION I.
March 2010
By
David W. Devenny PhD P Eng P Geol

The Rock Doctor
March 2010
PartB:OverviewofOilSandTailings
ExecutiveSummaryPartBReport.
ThePartBReportisanoverviewofoilsandstailingspracticesandrelatedtopics.
Thereportstartswithanoverviewofregulatorymattersandthegoverningfiscalregime.Thesehavea
significantimpactontheprojectdirection,economicsanddecisionmaking.
TheEvolutionofOilSandTailingsreviewsthehistoryoftailingspracticeandhowitresultedintodays
unfortunateinventoryofstrandedfluidtailings.Italsorecognizestheeffectofworldopiniononoil
sands.FinallyitdescribesERCBDirective074thatseeksanewdirectionintailingsmanagement.
Thenextsectionprovidesastepbystepdescriptionoftailingstechnologyandpractices.Itreviewswhy
fluidtailingsarecreated,containmentrequirements,dewateringrequirementsrequiredtocreatesolid
tailings,andtechnologiesthatareavailabletodensifyfluidtailings.Overviewsofoilsandgeology,
materialpropertiesandbehaviour,providebackgroundknowledge.
Abriefsectiononworldtailingspracticenotesthatsomeminesprefertotakeshorttermprofits,
accumulatefluidtailings,anddeferreclamation.Stockpilingtailingsoftencreatesunnecessaryrisk,and
maybemoreexpensive.Deferringreclamationtransfersreclamationcoststofuturegenerations.The
mainreasonforthissectionistoprofilethepoorimageofindustriesthatengageindeferralpractices.
Chapter13reviewsproceduresusedtoscreenoptionsfortailings.Traditionaleconomicanalysisoffers
poorguidanceforoilsandprojects.Discounting,overthelongtimespansassociatedwithoilsands
projects,reducesfutureobligationstoafractionoftheirrealvalue.Distortiondoesnotoccurif
reclamationobligationsarebookedastheyarecreated,insteadofwhenfundsarespenttocorrect
them.Recognitioncanbeaccomplishedbydepositingfundsofequivalentvalueinanenvironmental
trustwhentheobligationiscreated.Addedbenefitsoftheenvironmentaltrustapproachdepositsare
recognizedoperatingcosts.Thatcausesgovernmentstoshareintheexpense.Inadditiontrustdeposits
offsetanautomaticreductioninassetvalue.Finally,theapproachencouragesmanagementthatis
morecompatiblewithpublicexpectations.
Informationonoilsandsprojectplans,technologies,andperformanceislimited.Greatertransparencyis
needed.
Thereviewcloseswithanoverviewofoilsandresearchpractices,andrecommendstopicsthatshould
beexplored.
Appendicessupportthemaintext.Appendix1provideselectronicmodels.Thefirstsummarizesalllife
cycleworkandtheassociatedcostdifferencesfordifferenttailingstechnologies.Thesecondoffersan
economicmodeltoappraisethefulllifecycleofanintegratedoilsandplant.Thethirdisatailings
forecastmodel.Allmodelsallowuserstoinputtheirownvaluessotheimpactofdifferentinputcan
beobserved.Appendix4focusesonmaterialpropertiesandbehaviouranessentialpartof
understandingtailings.
TheRockDoctorB:ExecutiveSummaryPagei
ReportB:OverviewofOilSandTailings
TableofContents
#
B
B.1
B.2
B.3
B.4
B.5
B.6
B.7
B.8
B.9
B.10
B.2.1
B.2.2
B.2.3
B.4.1
B.4.2
B.4.3
B.4.4
B.4.5
B.5.1
B.5.2
B.5.3
B.5.4
B.5.6
B.5.7
B.8.1
B.8.2
B.8.3
B.8.4
B.8.5
B.8.6
B.9.1
B.9.2
B.9.3
B.10.1
B.10.2
B.10.3
B.10.4
B.10.5
Title
ExecutivesummarytoReportB
Tableofcontents
Introduction
Regulatingoilsands
Background
Albertaenvironmentalprotectionandenhancementact
ERCBmandate
Fiscaltermsforoilsands
Evolutionoftailingsandreclamationpractices
Earlyhistory
The1990s
Recentevents
500ducks
ERCBdirective074
OilSandsGeology
Resourcebasemineablearea
BedrockGeology
LocalStructure
Originofthebitumen
SurficialGeology
Orebodycharacter
Miningoilsands
Extraction
BasictailingsfromextractiontoMFT
Introductiontotailings
Theoilsandstailingscycle
Transportingtailings
Tailingssanddeposits
Behaviourinthetailingspond
Predictingthevolumeoftailings
TailingsDams
Introductiontotailingsdams
Constructionwithoverburdeninsteadofsand
Constructingretentionfacilitiesinpit
ProcessestodensifyMFT
Directtreatmentprocesses
BehaviourasMFTdensifies
Mechanicalprocesses
Naturalprocesses
MixturesCTandNST
Page
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ii
1
4
4
4
5
6
6
8
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11
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12
14
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The Rock DoctorOverviewofOilSandTailingsPageii
#
B.11
B.12
B.13
B.14
B.15
B.16
B.11.1
B.11.2
B.13.1
B.13.2
B.13.3
B.13.4
B.13.5
B.13.6
B.13.7
B.13.8
B.14.1
B.14.2
B.14.3
B.14.4
B.14.5
B.14.6
B.14.7
B.14.8
V.15.1
B.15.2
B.15.3
B.15.4
B.15.5
B.15.6
B.15.7
B.15.8
B.15.9
B.15.10
B.15.11
B.15.12
B.15.13
TableofContents(continued)
StoringMFTunderawatercap
Permanentstorageunderawatercap
Theendpitlake
Worldtailingspracticeandimage
Screeningtechnologyoptions
Introduction
Characteristicsofoilsandprojects
Stepsusedtoscreentechnologyoptions
Characteristicsofeconomicanalysis
Resultsofscreeningstudies
Conclusionsonscreeningoptions
QualifyingEnvironmentalTrusts
Assigningvaluetofuturereclamationobligations
OilSandTailingsR&D
IntroductiontotailingsR&D
IncentivefortailingsR&D
SuggestedprojectgoalsfortailingsR&D
CharacteristicsoftailingsR&D
Largescaletailingstechnologyresearch
Independentresearch
Anillustrationofdifficultyintegratingindependentresearch
Effectivenessofoilsandsresearchprograms
SummaryandConclusions
Aboutprojectsandpractice
ERCBDirective074
Aboutmaterialproperties
Buildingtailingsdeposits
Howtolimitfluidtailings
Propertiesoffluidtailings
Directmethodsfordensifyingfluidtailings
PasteandMixedSoilCasesCTprocess
StoringMFTunderawatercap
EconomicscreeningofProjectOptions
FiscalTerms
ResearchandDevelopment
InsularCharacter
Closure
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The Rock DoctorOverviewofOilSandTailingsPageiii
Table#
TableB.1
TableB.2
TableB.3
TableB.4
TableB.5
TableB.6
TableB.7
TableB.8
TableB.9
TableB.10
TableB.11
TableB.12
TableB.13
TableB.14
TableB.15
TableB.16
TableB.17
TableB.18
TableB.19
TableB.20
TableB.21
TableB.22
TableofContents(continued)
ListofTables
Characteristicsofthreemineableoilsandprojects
LanduseattheSyncrudeMildredLakeFacility
AverageoreusedinthePartAStudy
Forecastpropertiesoftailingssanddeposits
Highlightsofinformationobtainedfromthetailingsforecastmodel
Typicaldimensionsoftailingsdams
HighlightsoftheJackpinesurfacetailingspond
Additionalcostwhenoverburdenisusedtobuildtailingsdykes
RelativevolumesintheCTprocess
ConcernswiththeCTprocessingoption
Traditionaleconomicassessmentofcostsvstimeeffectandimage
Effectofrecognizingreclamationliabilitiesasincurredeffectandimage
Characteristicsofmineableoilsandprojects
Typicaltimelineforsiteuse
Typicalstepstoscreentechnologyoptions
Threeeconomicscreeningmethodsusedtoevaluatetailingsoptions
Assigningacosttoreclamationobligations
SuggestedprojectgoalsfortailingsR&D
Typesofoilsandtailingsresearch
Researchplayers,roleandsourceoffunding
R&Dfunding
Majortailingstechnologiesstudiedinlargescalefieldpilotprograms
Page
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ListofFigures
Figure#
FigureB.1
FigureB.2
FigureB.3
FigureB.4
FigureB.5
FigureB.6
FigureB.7
FigureB.8
FigureB.9
FigureB.10
FigureB.11
FigureB.12
FigureB.13
FigureB.14
FigureB.15
Title
HowAlbertasoilreservesrankwithworlddeposits
SatelliteviewoftheSyncrudeandSuncorBasePlants
Fiscalsharingvs.priceofoil
AerialviewSyncrudeMildredLakeSite
Proposaltocapweaktailings
MFTinventorytodate
Oilonthesurfaceofatailingspond
BedrockoftheMineableOilsandsArea
400tonminetruck
Loadinga400tonhaultruck
HowminingandtailingsworkinpitatSyncrude
Simpleextractionprocessflowsheet
ERCBbitumenextractionrecoverycurve
Theoilsandtailingscycle
Volumechangeonthepathfromoretowaste
Page
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9
9
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13
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The Rock DoctorOverviewofOilSandTailingsPageiv
Figure#
FigureB.16
FigureB.17
FigureB.18
FigureB.19
FigureB.20
FigureB.21
FigureB.22
FigureB.23
FigureB.24
FigureB.25
FigureB.26
ListofFigures(continued)
PreparationofaconstructioncellatAlbianSands
Dozercompactingsandinaconstructioncell
Depositingconventionaltailings
Crosssectionofatailingsdamcentrelineconstructionmethod
Crosssectionofatailingsdamupstreamconstructionmethod
Changeindykedesignifconstructedofoverburden
Changeindesignifmaterialissolidvs.fluid
RelativevolumeofmineralsolidandwaterinMFT
Ternarydiagramforcharacterizingbehaviourofsoilslurries
Suggestedoffsettoprotectagainstlongtermgulleyerosion
Effectofdiscountfactorandtime
Page
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49
ListofAppendices
Appendix#
Title
Appendix1
Electronicdata,spreadsheetsandmodels
1. Workandcostsheetsforeachtechnologystudiedcontaining:
Workactivityvstime
Capitalandoperatingcostvstime
Reclamationactivitiesvstime
Massbalances
Userdefinedinputforcapitalandoperatingcosts
Comparisonofunitcostforthetailingstechnologiesstudied
2. Fullprojecteconomicmodelthatconsiders
Userdefinedinputfor
o Capitalconstructioncost
o Productionvstime
o Incomefromproductsales
o Operatingcosts
Fiscalregimeconsideringroyalty,capitalallowances,provincial
andfederalincometax
Inputforcapitalandoperatingcostforspecifictailingsoptions
Treatmentofreclamationliabilities
Traditional(ignore),offsetagainstassetvalue,fundaQET.
Cashflowtothedeveloper,provinceandfederalgovernment
Rateofreturnfortheprojectandthedeveloper
3. Tailingsforecastmodel
Userinput
Orecharacter
Materialproperties
Plantvariablesfinesdispersion,dischargedensity
Output
Wastedepositssandandfluidtailsvolumes
Waterlosshotwaterandoverallwaterloss
The Rock DoctorOverviewofOilSandTailingsPagev
Appendix2
Appendix3
Appendix4
Appendix5
Appendices(continued)
Drytailscase
Definitions
Materialpropertiesandbehaviour
SuggestionsfortailingsR&D
The Rock DoctorOverviewofOilSandTailingsPagevi
B.1OilSandsBackground
B.1Introduction
ThissectionprovidesbackgroundinformationaboutAlbertasoilsands.Allinformationisfrompublic
sources.
Theoilsandsareaworldclasssourceofoil.FigureB.1showshowtheresourcecompareswithother
worldsupplies.Somefactsabouttheresource
Resourcebase
1.7trillionbarrels
Provenreserves
170billionbarrelsrecoverableusingtodaystechnology
Shallowmineable
35billionbarrels
Production(2008)
1.3millionbarrelsperday
Outlook
3millionbarrelsperdayby2018
FigureB.1HowAlbertasoilsandsrankwithworlddeposits.(AlbertaEnergy,2008).
Halfoftheoilsandproductioncomesfromshallowdepositsthataremined,thebitumenextracted
usingahotwaterprocessandupgradedtoapipelineableproduct.
CharacteristicsofthreeoilsandprojectsaresummarisedonTable1.Theprojectsallstartedbigand
aregettingbigger.Allhaveplanstoexpandtoproducehalfamillionbarrelsperdayinthenextfew
years.Syncrude,now30yearsold,expectstolastfor100years.
The Rock Doctor
Page1
TableB.1Characteristicsofthreemineableoilsandsprojects.
Project/Component
Suncor
Syncrude
Startupdate
1967
1978
Yearsinoperation
43
32
Integratedfacility
Configuration
Integratedfacility
Mine
Mine
Mine
Mine
Wastedisposal
Wastedisposal
Extraction
Extraction
Upgrading
Upgrading
Upgrader
Upgrader
Tankfarm
Tankfarm
Utilities
Utilities
Tailingsponds
Tailingsponds
Satellite
Mineandextraction Largesatellite
satellitesnearby
containsmine,
RemoteInsitu
extraction,tailings
Startupproduction
45,000bblSCO/day
105,000bblSCO/day
Currentproduction
260,000bblSCO/day 300,000bblSCO/day
Plannedproduction
500,000bblSCO/day
500,000bbl/day
Extractionprocess
Hotwater
Hotwater
UseNaOHdispersant UseNaOHdispersant
Extractionefficiency%
Upgradingyield
Cokeproduction
Tailings
GreenhouseGas
Tonnes/m3SCO
VOCemission(kg/m3)
Naphthaloss
EnergyuseGJ/m3SCO
Waterimportm3/m3
Waterrecycle%
Cumulativedisturbanceha
Cumulativearea
reclaimed
ReclamationCertificateha
The Rock Doctor
AlbianSands
2002
8
Separatefacilities
Atsite
Mine
Extraction
Wastedisposal
455km24diluted
bitumenand12diluent
returnline.
UpgraderatScotford
(nearEdmonton)
Expandingonsite
150,000bblSCO/day
150,000bblSCO/day
500,000bbl/day
Hotwater
Originallynodispersant.
NowuseNaCitrate.
Thickenerforheat
recovery.
92%
90.7%
80%
(afterasphalteneloss)
84%
87.5%
100%
2milliontonnes/year 2.5milliontones/year Asphaltenesarerejected
andaddedtotailings
ConventionalMFT
ConventionalMFT
Producethickenedtails.
followedbyCT
followedbyCT
LessMFTbecausenot
usingdispersant.
0.6
0.85
NA
1.73
NA
7.4
2.4
N/A
13,093
949
NA
.0043bbl/bbl
8.1
2.03
88%
21,282
4,668
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
104
Page2
FigureB.1isanaerialviewofthebaseplantsforSyncrudeandSuncor.TableB.2summariseslanduseat
theSyncrudebaseplant.Openpitmines,wastedumpsandtailingsfacilitiesdominatethelandscape.
Thefootprintisjustundertwotownships.
TableB.2LanduseattheSyncrudeMildredLakeFacility(BasePlant)
Landuse/area
Ha
%
Plantsiterelated
550
3%
Mining
Openpitspace
4,250
25%
Overburdenwastedumps
1,100
6%
Tailingspondsandrelatedareas
6,400
38%
Miscellaneous
4,700
28%
Total
17,000
100%
FigureB.2SatelliteviewofSyncrude
andSuncorbaseplants
The Rock Doctor
Page3
B.2RegulatingOilSands
B.2.Regulatingoilsands
B.2.1 Background
OilSanddevelopmentisregulatedinAlbertabyAlbertaEnvironment(AENV),theEnergyResources
ConservationBoard(ERCB)andAlbertaSustainableResourceDevelopment(SRD).TheFederal
governmentmanagesitsrolethroughEnvironmentCanadaandtheDepartmentofFisheriesand
Oceans.
AENVandSRDhaveprimaryresponsibilityformanagingtheenvironment.Thatincludes,pollution
preventionandcontrol,waterallocation,useandprotectionofpotablewater,conservationand
reclamationplanning,andtheevaluationofair,water,andlandforenvironmentalperformance
reporting.AENValsomanagesthefinancialassuranceprogramthatencompassesmanytypesof
developmentincludingoilsands.
TheERCBregulatesoilsandsminingandprocessingoperations,aswellasdiscardfromthose
operations,includingtailings.
AMemorandumofUnderstanding(MOU)betweenAENV,SRDandtheERCBoutlineseachagencys
responsibilitiesandhowtheyworktogether.TheMOUaddressestailingspondsandotheraspectsof
mineableoilsandsmanagement,includingwateruseandreclamation.
B.2.2AlbertaEnvironmentalProtectionandEnhancementAct
TheAlbertaEnvironmentalProtectionandEnhancementActprovidesthemandateforAENV.(Alberta,
1993).ThewritersinterpretationofsomeunderlyingprinciplescontainedoftheAct,thathaveadirect
bearingonoilsandsmanagement,include:
Thepartythatdisturbslandisresponsibleforrestoringit.Thedisturberisobligedtoqualify
foraReclamationCertificatethatsignifiesthelandhasbeensatisfactorilyreclaimed.
Thepublicisinvitedtoreviewandinputtodecisionsontheenvironment.
Regulatorsmayrequiredeveloperstoprovidefinancialassurancethatfundswillbeavailable
toreclaimsites.Theformandamountoffinancialassuranceisattheregulatorsdiscretion.
Thereistobenointergenerationaltransferofenvironmentalliabilities.
B.2.3ERCBMandate
TheERCBmandateisgovernedbyTheAlbertaOilSandsConservationAct.Approvalsforminesand
plantsarerequiredbySections10and11oftheAct.Approvaltocommence,suspend,orabandonan
oilsandssiteisrequiredbySection3.Approvalforstorageofdiscardgeneratedbyamineoraplantis
requiredbySections24and48.
TheRockDoctorB.2RegulatingOilSands
Page4
B.2RegulatingOilSands
In2004theERCBandtheCanadianEnvironmentalAssessmentAgencyidentifiedseverallongterm
objectivesrespectingtailingsmanagement:
tominimizeandeventuallyeliminatelongtermstorageoffluidtailingsinthereclamation
landscape;
tocreateatrafficablelandscapeattheearliestopportunitytofacilitateprogressive
reclamation;
toeliminateorreducecontainmentoffluidtailingsinanexternaltailingsdisposalareaduring
operations;
toreducestoredprocessaffectedwastewatervolumesonsite;
tomaximizeintermediateprocesswaterrecyclingtoincreaseenergyefficiencyandreduce
freshwaterimport;
tominimizeresourcesterilizationassociatedwithtailingsponds;and
toensurethattheliabilityfortailingsismanagedthroughreclamationoftailingsponds.
InFebruary2009theERCBissuedDirective074.Itrequiresoilsandoperatorstosolidifyincreasing
amountsoffluidtailingseachyear,reportonfinesmanagement,andreportontheperformanceof
eachtailingsfacilityannually.
TheRockDoctorB.2RegulatingOilSands
Page5
B.3FiscalTermsforOilSands
B.3.FiscalTerms
Oilsandprojectsarehighlytaxedsothefiscalregimeisveryimportant.
IndividualcomponentsofthefiscalregimeincludeAlbertaroyalty,capitalinvestmentincentives,and
federalandprovincialincometax.
AlbertaRoyaltyvarieswiththestageofaprojectandthepriceofoil.Beforepayout,AlbertaRoyaltyisa
percentageofGrossincome.Afterpayout,AlbertaRoyaltyisthegreaterof:aspecifiedpercentageof
netprofit,orapercentageofgrossincome.
Payoutoccurswhencumulativeincomeexceedscumulativeexpenditures.
Afterpayout,adollarofprofitissharedaccordingtofiscalterms,asgraphedonFigureB.3.Depending
onthepriceofoil,fiscalsharingleavesthedeveloperwith$0.45to$0.56fromeachdollarofprofit.
Governmentsreceivetherest.
Ifmoneyisspent,thesamefiscalsharingoccurs.Thenthecosttothedeveloperofspendingonedollar
is$0.45to$0.56.Throughforegoneprofits,thegovernmentspaytherest.
Fiscalsharingisanimportantpartofoilsandeconomicsandmustbepartofanyeconomicassessment.
FigureB.3Fiscalsharingvs priceofoil
Shareofprofitandexpense%
60%
50%
40%
AlbertaRoyalty
FederalIncomeTax
30%
AlbertaIncomeTax
Developer
20%
AllGovernment
Combined
10%
0%
$40.00
$60.00
$80.00
$100.00
$120.00
$140.00
$160.00
PriceofOil$/bbl
TheRockDoctorB.3FiscalTermsforOilSandsPage5
B4Evolutionoftailingsandreclamationprocesses
B.4Evolutionoftailingsandreclamationpractices
B.4.1EarlyHistory
Tailingspracticehasevolved.TherewerefewenvironmentalguidelineswhenSuncorstartedoperations
in1967.Thatwas5yearsbeforeAlbertaEnvironmentexisted.
TailingswereasurprisewhenSuncorstartedoperationsin1967.Atemporarydykewasconstructedto
TarIslandintheAthabascaRivertoholdthetailingsuntilasolutioncouldbefound.Todaythedykesof
thatfacilityare100mhighanditisbeingreclaimedafter42yearsofservice.
Todayapplicationsforoilsandsdevelopmentareobligedtostudythelease,identifyallpotential
adverseimpactsandshowhowtheywillmanagethem.Theyarealsoobligedtosubmitalongterm
closureplan.Attheendoftheprojectoperatorsareexpectedtoreclaimthesiteandqualifyfora
reclamationcertificate.TheReclamationCertificateisissuedbythegovernmentandmeansthat
reclaimedlandsareacceptabletotheregulatorsandthatthedeveloperisnolongerresponsible.
B.4.2The1990s
InitiallyallofSyncrudestailingswerestoredintheMildredLakefacility.
After10yearsofoperation,SyncrudeintroducedapumparoundsystemtopreventtheMildredLake
facilityfromfilling.(Listetal,1995).ItisillustratedbyFigureB.3.Thesystemworksasfollows:
PlantwasteispumpedtotheSouthWestSandStoragefacilitywheresandisdeposited.Thin
tailsrunoffispumpedtotheMildredLakeSettlingBasin.
AttheMildredLakefacility,finessettleandformMFT.
MatureMFTispumpedfromtheMildredLakeSettlingBasintotheBaseMineLakestorage.
MFTformakingCTisrecoveredfromtheMildredLakefacilityorfromtheBaseMineLake.
CTisstoredintheactiveCTtailingsrepository.
InthesameperiodSuncordevelopednewfacilitiestoholdfluidtailingsinminedoutareas.FigureB.2
showshowtailingspondsdominatetheSuncorbaseplantsite.
The Rock DoctorB.4Evolutionoftailingsandreclamationpractices
Page6
MildredLake
settlingbasin
SiteBoundary
MLSB
EastInPit
EIP
Base
BML
mine
lake
SWSS
Southwest
sandstorage
Suncor
Boundary
10km
FigureB.4AerialViewSyncrudeMildredLakeSite
.
InSyncrudes1992applicationforprojectexpansionSyncrudeproposedto:
DecreaseMFTproductionthroughanumberofinhouseinitiatives.
SolidifyMFTusingtheCTprocess.
PermanentlystoreMFTthatremainsattheendofoperationsbelowawatercapinanendpit
lake.TheyproposedafullscaledemonstrationtestintheBaseMineLakecommencingin2012.
Thedemonstrationwouldlastfor10to15years.
TheERCBagreedtothedemonstrationtestprovidedthefacilitywouldbereclaimedifthetestwasnot
successful.TheERCBnotedthattheypreferredthatfluidtailingsbereclaimedasatrafficablesolid.They
alsonotedthattheproposaltopermanentlystoreMFTunderawatercapwasnotapproved.(Houlihan
etal,2008).
SinceSyncrudeproposeditin1992,mostoilsandapplicationshaveproposedtostartwithasurface
tailingspond,andthenswitchtoCTorequivalentwhentheprojectmovesinpit.Attheendofthe
project,fluidtailingsleftoverwouldbestoredpermanentlyunderawatercap.Thelistoflookalike
applicationsinclude:
Syncrudeapplications(Syncrude1992,2002)
Suncorapplications(ERCB2003,2004)
Shelloilsandapplications(AlbianSands,2002,2003)
KearlLakeapplication(Kearl,2005).
Page7
Syncrudesinhouseinitiativesprogramwasimplementedandwaslargelysuccessful.Themain
programinvolvedreducingthewatercontentintheextractionplantandinthetailingsdischargeso
finescaptureinthesanddepositswouldbemaximized.Finesthatarecapturedinthebeacharenot
availabletomakeMFT.
SyncrudesuccessfullyoperatedsmallscaledemonstrationtestswithwateroverMFT.However,the
testsweresmallanddidnotevaluatetheeffectofgasemissionsthatstartedatalaterdate.Syncrude
evaluatedCTina5millioncubicmetredemonstrationpilotinthemid1990s.TheystartedusingCTin
commercialoperationsin1999.Thatdepositisbeingpreparedforreclamationthefirsttailingspond
tobereclaimedatSyncrude.(Fair,2008).
SuncorhavebeenusingCTincommercialoperationssincethe1995.(Shaw,2008).Suncorarereclaiming
theirstartuppondthathadbeeninuseforover40years.
B.4.3Recentevents
Industryappearstofocuson:
Traditionalplantstomakefluidtailingsuntiloperationscanmoveinpit;
ThensolidifyfluidtailingsusingCToranequivalenttechnology;
Permanentlystoreresidualamountsoffluidtailingsunderawatercappedendpitlake.
ThatisastrongcontrasttothegoalssetoutbytheERCB(Houlihanet.Al.2008):
Minimizeandeventuallyeliminatelongtermstorageoffluidtailings.
Createatrafficablelandscapeattheearliestopportunity.
Eliminateorreducefluidtailingsinanexternaltailingsdisposalarea.
Ensurethattheliabilityfortailingsismanagedthroughreclamation.
Pilotresearchisapparentlyevaluatingothertechnologiessuchassandstacking,thickenerevaluations,
cyclonetreatment,drying,freezethawtreatmentandcentrifugetreatment.(Fair,2008).Suncorare
manyoftheaboveaswellasselfcontainedmobilemine/extractionunits.Generalinformationabout
theSyncrudeorSuncorresearchhasbeenreleasedbutlittleifanyspecificshavebeenmadepublic.
Shellareresearchingthickenedtailingsoptions(Matthews,(2008)).Theystartedtheiroperation
withouttheuseofdispersingagentstoreducetailingsproduced.However,theyhavesubsequently
beenaddingsodiumcitrate,adispersant.Shellarestillproducingthickenedtailingsandstoringitin
theiroutofpitstarterpond.
InthepastdecadeSyncrudeproducedabout200millioncubicmetresofMFT.Tenpercentofthatwas
solidifiedwithCTtreatment.(Fair,2008).
Page8
MFTstorageinterfereswithlandreclamation.Syncrudehavedisturbedovertwotownshipsoflandarea.
20%hasbeenreclaimed.Suncorhaveonlyreclaimed4%oftheirdisturbedlands.Todate104hectares
intheoilsandregionhavereceivedformalreclamationcertificates.
TheTotalapplication(Total,2006a,2006b)proposetostoreweakCTatdepth,coveritwithstrongerCT
allofwhichwillbecoveredwithastrongsandcap.(Total2006b).FigureB.5illustratestheTotal
proposal.
FigureB.6Proposaltocapweaktailings
Reclaimedsurface
LowfinesCT
Strongcap
Workingsurface
Dyke
Dyke
HighFinesCT
Weakdeposit
FigureB.6showsthegrowthofMFTforthewholeindustry.Todaythevolumetotals750million
cubicmetres.IfthereisnochangeinprocessesusedthevolumeisforecasttoreachIbillion
cubicmetresin2014andtwobillionin2034.(Houlihanet.al.2008).
Figure B.6 Regional MFT

Inventory to date
Page9
B.4.4500Ducks
Oilsandsdevelopmentsarelocatedonamajorflywaythatbirdsuseastheymigratetonestingsitesin
theArctic.Millionsofbirdsflyovertheoilsandsdevelopmentseachspring,andreturnwiththeir
youngeachfall.Tailingspondsareincompatiblewiththisnaturalmigrationbecausebirdsthatlandon
thepondsareapttobecomeoilcoveredanddie.FigureB.7showsoilonthesurfaceofaSyncrude
tailingspond.
FigureB.7Oilonthesurfaceofatailingspond
Deterrentssuchasmansizedstatuesstandingonfloatsspacedatregularintervalsonthepondsurface
areusedtokeepthebirdsfromlanding.Thestatuesaresupplementedbypropane"cannons"thatfire
atregularintervalsandmimicshotgunblasts.AlbianSandsusearadarscannertodetectincoming
birdsandactivateanartificialhawktoscarebirdsaway.
InApril2008,latewinterstormsdelayedinstallationoftheseasonalduckdeterrents.AflockofMallard
duckslandedonaSyncrudetailingspondbeforethedeterrentswereinstalled.500+ducksperished.
Adverseworldwidepublicityfollowed.Internetsearchesrevealaplethoraofantioilsand,antiCanada,
andantiU.S.A.websites,books(Nikiforuk,2008),andmagazines(Kuneig,R.,(2009),National
Geographic).Thepublicitymayexaggerateandsupportotheragendasonenergyuseandclimate
change.However,someoftheconcernsarejustifiedandrevealanoilsandindustryoutlookthat,if
Syncrude's2006C&RPlanisamodel(Syncrude,2006),wassadlyoutofdate.Theimpactisdamaging
themarketabilityofoilsandsproducts,andCanada'simageinworldtrade.
Page10
B.4.5ERCBDirective074
In2008theERCBheldmeetingswithoilsandoperatorstoshareconcernsaboutthegrowinginventory
offluidtailingsandtodiscussnewreportingrequirements.
InFebruary,2009theERCBissuedDirective074.Itrequiresoperatorstoreportonallfinesprocessed
andtosolidifyincreasingpercentagesofthefinesprocessedeachyear.(20%,30%,and50%inthenext
threeyears).TheDirectivespecifiesstrengthcriteriaforthesolidifiedfines(aminimumundrainedshear
strengthof5kPainthefirstyearandaminimumof10RPaafter5years).Inaddition.Directive
074requiresthatoperatorsinventorytheirtailingspondsandreportperformanceannually.
Houlihanpresentedasummaryofthepublicandregulatoryconcernsabouttailingsthatwerebehind
Directive074(Houlihanetal,2008).
Publicconcerns:
Seepageandpotentialwatercontamination,
Fugitiveemissions,
Riskofatailingsdamfailure,
Returnofthelandtotraditionaluse,
Progressivereclamation(lackofit),
Intergenerationaltransferofliability.
Regulator'sconcerns:
Applicationsunderestimatethefluidtailingsvolumes,
CTperformancetargetsandcommitmentsnotmet,
Fluidvolumesgrowingsteadily,
Nofluidtailingspondreclaimed,
Neitherthepublicnorthegovernmentispreparedtoacceptcommitmentsthatarenotmet
andincreasingliabilities.
Historicallythegovernmenthasencouragedindustrytoshowleadershipinoilsandsmanagement.
Directive074representsanewdirection.
Page11
B.5OilSandGeology
B.5OilSandGeology
B.5.1ResourceBasemineablearea
TheERCBestimatesthat35billionbarrelsofbitumenisrecoverablefromthesurfacemineablearea
(ERCB,(2009b)).
Formineabledevelopmentstheminimumresourcebaseisenoughtosupportaprojectfor25years.
Thatamountstoover1billionbarrelsofreservesper100,000barrelsofproductionperday..
B.5.2BedrockGeology
Themineableoilsandareaisdefinedasoilsandthathasupto50metresofoverburdenovertheore
zone.ItislocatednorthofFortMcMurray.FigureB.8showsthedistributionofbedrockformationsin
theFortMcMurrayarea.(Alberta,2009)
GraniteoftheCanadianShieldliesundertheoilsandareaafewhundredmetresbelowsurface.The
graniteiscoveredbyPaleozoicformationsofsandstone,salt,shale,limestoneanddolomitethatdip
gentlytothewest.
TheMcMurrayFormationisthehostrockforbitumen.Itwasdepositedunconformablyontopofthe
Paleozoicformations.ItisofCretaceousage,(120millionyearsold).Depositionalenvironments,
createdwhenashallowseainvadedthearea,leftcomplexlyinterlayereddepositsofsand,siltandclay.
TheClearwaterformationwasdepositedontopoftheMcMurray.Itcontainsmarinedepositsthat
formedinthedeepenedsea.SomelayersoftheClearwateraresandybutmostareclayshalethat
containsconsiderableamountsofbentonite.OtherformationsfollowedsoatonetimetheMcMurray
wascoveredbyonetotwokilometresofsediment.
B.5.3Localstructure
SolutionofthesaltbedswasoccurringinduringCretaceoustime,especiallyeastoftheAthabascaRiver.
Solutionactivitydisruptsthecontinuityofoverlyingbeds.ThickenedsectionsoftheMcMurray
developedinareasthatweresubsidinginCretaceoustime.
Karstfeatures,evidentonsurfacetoday,indicatethatsolutionactivityiscontinuing.(Fraser,1975).
The Rock DoctorB.5OilSandGeologyPage12
B.5OilSandGeology
FigureB.8 Bedrockofthe
MineableOilSandsArea
B.5OilSandGeology
TheBitumontbasindevelopednorthofSuncorandSyncrude.ItisindicatedonFigureB.8bythecircular
areaoccupiedbyClearwaterclay/shale.Theretheentireprofile,includingthegranitesurfacesubsided,
indicatingthattheoriginismoredeepseatedthansolutionofsaltbeds.SubsidenceduringMcMurray
timeresultedinthickerandcoarserbedsofsand.Subsidenceafteroilenteredtheareadepressedparts
ofthebitumensaturatedzone30metresbelowtheAthabascaRiver.(Isherwood,2009).
B.5.4Originofthebitumen
Atanunknowntime,conventionaloilfromtheAlbertaBasinmigratedeastwardintothearea.Itfloated
onawaterlayer,andfilledthetopoftheMcMurrayformation.Bacterialactionstrippedlight
componentsfromtheoil,leavingheavybitumen.(McNeely,1973).Thebitumen/waterinterfacetends
tobehorizontalintheSuncorarea,coincidingwiththepresentleveloftheAthabascaRiver.Inthe
BitumontBasinthebitumensaturatedzoneisdepressedabout30metresbelowtheAthabascaRiver.
B.5.5SurficialGeology
SurficialdepositsincludePleistoceneglacialtillbothdensebasaltillandweakerablationtill.Outwash
deposits,windblownsandsandlacustrinedepositsfollowedatthecloseofthePleistoceneglaciation.
Surfacedepositsincludelocalalluviumandmuskegdeposits.
Continentalglaciationsmeltedfromsouthtonorth.Thenorthernsectionsblockeddrainagesolarge
lakesformedsouthoftheicesheet.GlacialLakeAgassizcoveredmuchofManitobaandSaskatchewan.
About10,000yearsagoitdischargeddowntheClearwaterRiverandcarvedthepresentvalleyofthe
AthabascaRivernorthofFortMcMurray.(Smithet.al.,1993).
UpstreamfromFortMcMurraytheAthabascaRiverflowsonbedrock.DownstreamfromFortMcMurray
thereisaburiedvalleybelowtheAthabascaRiver.TheburiedvalleyNorthofNorthofFortMcMurray
probablyrepresentsapreCretaceousrivervalley(Devenny,2000).
ContinuingsaltsolutionisindicatedbysaltspringsthatentertheAthabascaRiverespeciallynearthe
BitumontBasin(Bauman,2008).
UpstreamfromFortMcMurraytheAthabascaRiverflowsonthesurfaceofPaleozoicbedrock.
DownstreamfromFortMcMurraythereisaburiedvalleybelowtheAthabascaRiver.Theburiedvalley
NorthofNorthofFortMcMurrayprobablyrepresentsapreCretaceousrivervalley(Devenny,2000).
ContinuingsaltsolutionisindicatedbynaturalsaltspringsthatentertheAthabascaRiverespecially
neartheBitumontBasin.(Bauman,2008).
B.2.6Orebodycharacter
B.5OilSandGeology
Inthemineableoilsandsarea,overburdentendstobeabout50metresthick.Theorezonealsotends
tobeabout50metresthick.Oregradesarehighestinsandyzones(ashighas15%byweightbitumen)
andlowestwherefinegrainedmaterialispresent.Table3.characterizesaverageoreatSyncrude.
TableB.3AverageoreusedinthestudyreportedinReportA
Density/
Volumein
Component
Weight%
Weightper
specificgravity
onecubic
cubicmetre
metre
(tonnes)
Bitumen
11%
0.231
0.229
1.01
Water
5%
0.105
0.105
1.00
Fines
16%
0.336
0.127
2.65
Sand
68%
1.428
0.539
2.65
Total
100%
2.100
1.000
ThefollowingdiscussiondealswithfactsaboutaverageorethatwecaninterpretfromTableB.3.
1. TheBitumendensityisveryclosetothedensityofwater.Thatchallengesseparationin
extractionandisthereasonthatairbubbleassistanceisusedtofloatbitumen.Itisalsothe
reasonthatsolventisusedtochangethedensityofbitumeninfrothtreatment.
2. Bitumenrepresents22%ofthetotalvolumeofoilsandore.Thatsuggestsacleanporoussand.
3. Theclay/waterratioislowindicatingthatinsitutheclayisnotdispersed.
Otherfactsaboutoilsandore:
4. Oilsandoreishighlyvariable,aresultofthevariabledepositionalenvironmentsofthehost
reservoir.Itcontainscomplexlyinterlayeredoreandwastedepositsofsand,silt,andclay.All
processes,fromtheminefacethroughextractionandtailings,mustberobustandableto
accommodatevariationsintheore.
5. Quartzandclaymineralsilmeniteandkaolinarethedominantmineralsinoilsand.
6. Aquartzsurfacehasagreateraffinityforwaterthanbitumen.Asaresulteachsandgrainis
surroundedbyathinfilmofwaterthatallowseasyseparationviaagitationinhotwater.Oil
sanddepositselsewhereintheworldareoftencomposedofothermineralsthatattract
bitumentothesandgrainsurface.Theyrequiresolventtoextractthebitumen.
7. Bitumenparticlesreleasedinextractionreflectthesizeofthevoidspacethattheyarereleased
from.Insandthevoidspaceisquitelarge.Infinegrainedsoilthevoidspaceisquitefine.
8. Bitumenassociatedwithfinegraineddepositscanbedifficulttoextractbecause:
Thesurfacemaybeoilwet,
Bitumendropletsaretoofineforairbubblestocontactandfloatthemtosurface.
9. Thereareminorquantitiesofheavymineralsilmenite,rutileandzircon.Centrifugeactionin
extractionconcentratestheheavymineralsmanyfoldsotheyarepotentialoresfortitanium
andzirconium.
10. Bitumencontainscoproductssulphur,cokeandvanadium.
B.6MiningOilSand
B.6Mining
Allprojectsmineoverburdenandoreusinglargeshovelsand400tontrucks.Oreishauledtoadump
facilitywhereitiscrushed,screened,slurriedwithwarmprocesswaterandpumpedtotheextraction
plant.Turbulenceduringhydrotransport,breakstheoreintoindividualparticlesneededfor
separationinextraction.Processaids,dispersingagentsandsmallairbubbles,areaddedbeforetheore
reachesextraction.
Minewaste(overburdenandinterburden)ishauledtowastedumps.Suitablewasteisalsousedto
constructfacilitiessuchastailingsdykes.Itisusuallycompactedbydriving400tontrucksoverit.Some
wastesareunsuitableforconstruction,becausetheyaretoowet,orcontainundesirablematerial(e.g.
swellinganderodibleclaysoftheClearwaterFormation.)
Careisrequiredtoensurethatmaterialsthataredeleterioustoextractionarekeptoutoftheore
supply.DeleteriousmaterialsincludeactiveclayfromtheClearwaterFormation.
FigureB.8showsa400tontruckthatisusedinoilsandmining.FigureB.9showsashovelloadingore
ontoa400tontruck.Shovelsaresizedsotheycanfillthetruckswiththreescoops.
FigureB.9400tonminetruck
ERCBInterimDirectiveID20017stipulatescutoffcriteriaformining.Projectsareexpectedtomineto
aminimumTV/BIPof12whereTVisthetotalvolumeofore,interburdenandoverburden,andBIPis
thevolumeofbitumeninplace.Theminimumwastelayeris3metresthick.Thecutoffgradeis7%.
The Rock DoctorB.6MiningOilSandPage16
B.6MiningOilSand
Mineopeningsmustdepressurizeaquifersencounteredinandbelowtheorebody.AttheSuncorand
Syncrudebaseplantsgroundwateraquifersarelimitedandtheoreseldomdipsbelowthelevelofthe
AthabascaRiver.AtAlbianSandsthebasalaquiferismoreextensivebutminingactivitytendstobe
abovetheleveloftheAthabascaRiver.ProjectsinandneartheBitumontBasincouldbeminingore30
metresbelowthesurfaceoftheAthabascaRiver.Groundwatercontrolinthoseminescouldencounter
largequantitiesofverysalinewater.
FigureB.10Loadinga400tonhaultruck
Minedoutareasarebackfilledwithoverburdenandtailings.FigureB.11showshowtailingsandmining
activityexistsidebysideatSyncrude.Itcantake50yearstoaccommodatemining,tailingsstorage,
tailingsreclamationandfinallysurfacereclamation.
Therearewasteproductsthatmustbeaccommodatedinminedoutareas:
Overburdenandinterburdenwaste,
MaterialrejectedatthescreenbeforeHydrotransport(cementedlayersandclaylumps),
Cokeproducedinupgrading(approximately2milliontonnesperyearatbothSyncrudeand
Suncor).TheERCBrequiresthatcokebeplacedsoitwillbeaccessibletofuturegenerations.
Sulphur(usuallystoredonsitebecauseshippingcostexceedsthemarketvalue).
Sulphurisalsostoredsoitwillbeaccessibleinthefuture.
B.6MiningOilSand
FigureB.11HowminingandtailingsworkinpitatSyncrude
Legend
EIP
EastinPitMine
SWIP
SouthWestinPitmine
NorthMineActiveNorthMine
B.7Extraction
B.7Extraction
FigureB.11showsasimplifiedprocessflowsheetforanoilsandextractionplant.
FigureB.5SimpleExtractionProcessFlowSheet
Flood
Water
Hydrotransport
Screen
Slurry
Crush
Mine
Froth
Froth
Cleaning
Middlings
Treatment
PSV
Desander
ToTailings
ToTailings
Mixer
Thefirststepinextractionistoaddwatertotheincomingoreslurry.Thefirstvesselintheextraction
plantcontainsrelativelystillwater.Inthatenvironmentsanddropsoutofsuspensionandissentto
tailings.Bitumen,aidedbysmallattachedairbubblesfloatstothesurfacewhereitisremovedasfroth.
Theremainingmixtureiscalledmiddlings.Itcontainswater,silt,clay,andsmalldropletsofbitumen,is
senttothenextstageoftheextractionplantforfurtherprocessing.
Afterbitumenhasbeenremovedfromthemiddlingscircuitresidualwasteisblendedwiththesand
tailingsstreamandsenttotailings.
Infrothtreatment,solventisaddedtodilutebitumenandtochangeitsspecificgravity.Thentheslurry
iscentrifugedtoseparatethebitumenfromwaterandsolids.Residualwastecontainingwater,solids,
unrecoveredbitumenandsolventlossesisdischargedasfrothtreatmenttailings.
The Rock DoctorB.7ExtractionPage19
B.7Extraction
Frothtreatmenttailingscontainthemostbitumenandsolventaswellasconcentrationsofheavy
mineralssuchasilmenite,rutileandmonazite.Thereissomeinterestinilmeniteandrutileaspotential
sourcesoftitanium.Monazitecontainsradioactiveelementsthataredetectablewithgeophysical
loggingtools.Blendingfrothtreatmenttailingswithregulartailingsdegradesthequalityofregular
tailings.Italsowastesconcentratedilmeniteandrutile,andaddsconcentrationsofradioactivitythat
interferewithusinggeophysicaltoolstodeterminetheclaycontentofMFT.Perhapswastefromfroth
treatmentshouldbestoredseparately.
Theextractionsystemsdescribedareillustrative.Otherconfigurationsarealsoused.
ERCBInterimDirectiveID20017specifiestheminimumbitumenrecovery.Fororethatcontainsmore
than11%byweightbitumen,extractionisexpectedtorecover90%ormoreofthebitumen.Forore
gradesbetween7%and11%theminimumbitumenrecoverycurveisindicatedbyFigureB.13.
Figure6ERCBBitumenExtractionRecovery
Curve
100%
90%
MinimumRecovery%
80%
ERCBRecoveryCriteria
70%
Maximumore/rejectthickness3m
Cutoffgrade
7%
TV/BIP Cutoff
12
60%
Minimumrecoveryinextraction
(Recovery=54.1X 2.5X2 202.7)
whereX=feedgrade
50%
40%
30%
6%
7%
8%
9%
10%
11%
12%
13%
14%
OreGrade%
SuncorandSyncrudeoperateintegratedplants.Theyproducebitumenthatissuitablefortheironsite
upgraderbutdoesnotmeetspecificationsforpipelinetransport.Table1indicatesthatSuncorand
Syncruderecover92%and90.7%ofthebitumeninextraction.Thedifferenceprobablyreflectsslightly
lowergradeoreatSyncrude.
B.7Extraction
TheAlbianSandsProjectproducesbitumenandthenshipsit455kmtotheShellupgraderinScotford
Alberta.PipelinespecificationsrequirecleanerbitumenthanSyncrudeandSuncorproduce.Thenew
frothtreatmentusedtoproducecleanbitumencausesasphaltenestoprecipitate.Theyareaddedto
tailingsfromfrothtreatment.AsaresulttheoverallhydrocarbonrecoveryatAlbianSandsisprobably
80%orless.
SuncorandSyncrudeaddcausticsodainextractiontofacilitatebitumenremoval.Causticsodaalso
dispersesclay.Thataddstothevolumeoffluidtailingscreated.
Originally,AlbianSandsproposedtooperateextractionwithoutaddingdispersingagents.Thereason:
anticipatedsuperiorperformanceintailingsdenser,rapidlysettlingtailings,andfasterwater
clarification.However,theprojectnowaddssodiumcitrate,adispersingagent,toaidbitumen
extraction.
Processwaterdischargedinthewastestreamsfromextractioncontainsheat.Heatlossisreducedifthe
amountofwaterdischargedwithplantwasteisreduced.
Waterdischargecanbereducedbyconcentratingthesolidcontentofthedischargestreams.Thefines
streamcanbeconcentratedtoabout30%solidsinathickener.Thesandwastestreamcanbedensified
bycyclonestoover70%solids.Processwaterrecoveredintheplant,withitscontainedheat,is
immediatelyrecycledandreused.
Traditionalextractionproduceswastethatcanbepumped.Theupperlimitforthestrengthofpumpable
wasteis100kPa.Thatis1%ofthestrengthdesiredforreclamation.
B.8BasicTailingsfromExtractiontoMFT
B.8BasicTailingsfromextractiontoMFT
B.8.1IntroductiontoTailings
Tailingsarethewasteproductofoilsandprocessing.
Theassignmentfortailingsmanagementis:
1.
2.
3.
4.
Receiveallsolidandfluidwasteproducedbyextraction,
Storeitinasafe,costeffectivemanner,
Returnclarifiedprocesswatertotheplantforreuse,
Reclaimwastedepositstomeetreclamationrequirementsforclosureinatimelymanner.
Theassignmentisadifficultonebecause:
Tailingswasteisreceivedasaliquidslurry.
Azerodischargepolicyrequiresthatallprocessaffectedwaterberetainedonsite.
Forclosure,someofthewastemustbetransformedintoastrong,selfsupportingsolid.
Extractiondonotknowtheclaycontentoftheirtailingsdischarge.
B.8.2Thetailingscycle
FigureB.14showsthestepsinthepaththattransformsoretotailings.FigureB.15showstherelative
volumeofthecomponentsoftailingsalongthatpath.Stepsintailingsmanagementaredescribed
below:
Oreismined,slurriedandpumpedtoextraction.Intransittheoreseparatesintoindividual
particles,inpreparationforbitumenextraction.Thevolumeofsolidsremainconstantfromstageto
stage.Volumechangesareduetobitumenremoval,wateradditionandwaterremoval.
Inextractiontheorecomponentsareseparatedintothreestreams(coarse,finesandfroth)because
eachrequiresdifferenttreatment.Afterbitumenhasbeenextracted,thesandandfineswaste
streamsarecombinedandpumpedtothetailingsdisposalsite.Frothtreatmentwastemaybe
pumpeddirectlytothetailingspond.Wasteslurriessenttotailingscontainprocesswater,sand,
fines,unrecoveredbitumen,andminorimpuritiesfromnaturalandmanmadesources.When
tailingsexittheplantthevolumeoftheslurryismorethantwicetheoriginalvolumeoftheore.
Heatlossisassociatedwiththelargevolumeofwaterinthetailingsslurry.
TheRockDoctorB.8BasicTailingsfromExtractiontoMFTPage22
FigureB.14TheOilSandsTailingsCycle
1
Makeup
Water
Ore
Bitumen
Water
Fines
Sand
Product
Extraction
Plant
2
Hydrotransport
3
Recycle
Water
6
Overflow
ToPond
Water
from
SFT
Sand
Dyke
Beach
Sand
WaterClarificationZone
MFT 5
4
Beach
Sand
Sand
Dyke
NativeSoil
7
SolidFine
Tails
ChartTitle
FigureB.15Volumechangeonthe
pathfromoretowaste
3
2.5
Bitumen
Water
Fines
Sand
1.5
0.5
Atthewastestoragesite,theslurryisdischargedontoasanddeposit.Seventyfivepercentofthe
wasteaccumulatesasasolidsanddeposit.Voidspaceinthesandisfilledwithwaterandsuspended
components.Thevoidspaceinthesandisalmostequaltothevolumeoffluidtailings.Surplus
materialoverflowstothepond.
Materialenteringthetailingspondconsistsofadilutesuspensionofwater,fines,unrecovered
bitumenandsolvent,andimpurities.SectionB.A4.3inAppendixB.4describeshowsolidssettleto
becomeMFT.
MosttailingsmaterialbalancesinApplicationsforacommercialdevelopmentstopattheMFT
stage.FiguresB.14andB.15assumethatclosurerequiresthatMFTshouldbereclaimedassolidfine
tailingsorSFT.ThefinalstepchangesMFTtoSFTwithafinesdensityof70%solidsbyweight.
Surpluswaterinthepondisavailableforreuse.WhenthefinesarestoredasMFTthevolume
availableforrecycleis1.15cubicmetrespercubicmetreofaverageoreprocessed.ConvertingMFT
toSFTaddsanadditional0.18cubicmetresofwatertorecycle.
Dissolvedsaltsaccumulatewitheachtimewaterisreused.Thesaltscomefromconnatewaterin
theore,minedepressurizationwater,andprocessaids.
Lord(Lordetal,1997).reportsMFTdensitiesof35%andeven40%atSyncrude.Thedensitiesnoted
indicatethatsomeconsolidationistakingplace.TherearesubtledifferencesinMFTatSyncrudeand
Suncor(McKinnonetal,1993).Theprecedingfactsdonotchangethethrustofdiscussionsinthis
report.
Tailingswaterbecomessaltierwithreuse.Implications:
Atsomepointthewaterchemistrywillcauseclaytoflocculateinextractionhaltingbitumen
extraction.
Saltyprocesswatersuppressesvegetationsoadverselyaffectsreclamation.
Itwillbedifficulttoassimilatetailingswaterinthesurroundingsifitistoosalty.
B.8.3Transportingtailings
Processwasteisblendedandpumpedtothetailingsdisposalsiteforseveralreasons:
Finegrainedcomponentsassistfluidtransportofsand.
Blendedwastemeansthatonlyonetransportsystemisneeded.
Wasteispumpedbecauseitisbelievedtobethelowestcosttransportsystem.
Dischargedwasteautomaticallyflowstoitsfinalrestingplace.
Tailingsispumpedataspeedof3to5metrespersecondtokeepallsolidsinsuspension.
Theupperlimitonstrengthforpumpedslurriesisabout100kPa.Thestrengthofthepumped
materialwillhavetoincreasebyafactorof100toequal10kPa,thelowerlimitofstrengthdesiredfor
solidreclaimabletailings.
Tosaveheat,operatorstrytokeepthedensityofthewasteslurryhigh(between50%and60%solids).
Itisnotpracticaltopumpathigherdensities.
B.8.4TailingsSanddeposits
Threetypesofsanddepositsformattheendofthetailingsline.
Sandconstructioncell
Largecellsarecreatedtocollectsandforconstruction.Whenthetailingsslurryentersthebroadcell,
flowvelocitydecreasesandsanddropsoutofsuspension.Dozersmaintainsmallperimeterdykes
aroundthecellandcompactthenewlydepositedsandbytrackingbackandforthacrossit.Voidspacein
thesandisfilledwithprocesswaterandsuspendedmaterial.
FigureB.16isaphotoofatailingssandcellinpreparation.FigureB.17isaphotoofadozercompacting
sandintheconstructioncell.(Matthews,2008).
FigureB.16PreparationofaconstructioncellatAlbianSands
FigureB.17Dozercompactingsandinaconstructioncell
Sandthatisnotusedforconstructionisdirectedtothebeach.
BeachdepositsareindicatedonFigureA.17.
FigureB.18DepositingConventionalTailings
Sand
Extraction
Recyclewater
Fines
Water
MFT
Beach
Beach
abovewater
Beach
belowwater
Pond
Clearwater
Transition
MFT
Beachabovewater
Thetailingsdischargeisspreadoverthebeachtopreventconcentratedflow.Smallstreamsflowover
thebeach.Theydeposit,erodeandredepositsandandmaterialcapturedinthevoids.Thatmakesthe
depositinthebeachabovewaterhighlyvariable,rangingfromcleansandtosandwithvoidsfilledwith
capturedmaterial.
Beachbelowwater
Conditionsinthebeachbelowwaterarequieterthantheyareabovewater.
Intheunderwaterenvironmentgentleplacementcreatesloosedepositsformthatcantrapalotoffine
grainedmaterial.Theloosedepositsarepronetoliquefaction.Submarinelandslidesandturbidityflows
arepartofthesystemthatdeliversmaterialdowntheslopeandintoadjacentdepositsofMFT.
ThevolumeandcharacterofsanddepositsisrelativelypredictableandissummarizedbyTableB.4.
Thevolumeandcharacterofthefinetailingscomponentismuchmorecomplicated,partlybecause
informationonclayanditsactivityisnotcollected.
TableB.4Forecastpropertiesoftailingssanddeposits:
Deposit
Sandcompactedinacell
Sanddepositedinabeachabovewater
Sanddepositedinabeachbelowwater
FinesformingMFTinthepond
Porosity
N
0.37
0.40
0.43
0.86
Void
Ratio
e
0.6
0.68
0.75
6.2
Weight%
Solids
%
82%
80%
78%
30%
Dry
Density
t/m3
1.67
1.59
1.51
0.37
Beach
Slope%
2%
4%
B.8.5Behaviourinthetailingspond
Thetailingspondisalargevesselthatclarifieswaterandprovidesstorageforfinegraineddeposits.
Materialthatentersthetailingspondconsistsofwater,unrecoveredbitumen,silt,clay,dissolved
chemicals,solventlosses,andprocessaids.
Thewasteslurryenteringthetailingspondisquitedilute,withatypicalsolidcontentof5to10%.
Suspendedsolidsslowlysettleleavingclearwaterbehind.Asthesolidssettle,thesuspensionbecomes
denserandparticlesinterferewitheachother.Thistransitionzoneextendstoadepthofafewmetres.
Finally,whenthedensityreachesabout30%solids,repulsiveforcesbetweenclayparticlesprevent
furtherdensification.ThedepositatthatstageisknownasmaturefinetailsorMFT.
AweaksoilstructureformsinMFTandrepresentsthestartofsoilstrength.Initiallythedepositis
extremelyweak.ThelowstrengthinearlyMFTisindicatedbythefactthatindividualsandgrainsbreak
throughitandaccumulateatthebaseofthedeposit10sofmetresbelow.
Whensurfacewaterreachesasolidcontentof0.1%itcanberecycledtotheplant.(FineTails
FundamentalsConsortium(1995)pageIV74.)
Matsofbitumenalsoaccumulateintheponddeposits.
B.8.6Predictingthevolumeoftailings
Tailingspersonnelareresponsibleforforecastingthevolumeoftailingssostoragefacilitiescanbe
constructedandreadytostoreexpectedtailings.
Thevolumesofsanddepositsarepredictable,butthevolumeoffinetailingsisnot.ThevolumeofMFT
isalargelyaresultofclay,andthewayitinteractswithwaterandthechemicalspresentinthewater.
Extractionoperatorsdonotmeasuretheclaycontent.Theymeasurefinesthatcancontainfrom0%to
100%claysizedmaterial.
Theaccuracyoftailingsforecastmodels,thatdonotconsidertheamountofclaypresent,ortheextent
ofclaydispersion,ishighlysuspect.
OtherindicatorsoftheMFTvolumecanbederivedfromhistoricaldata.AtSyncrudetheaverage
volumeofMFTproducedpercubicmetreofaverageoreis0.266cubicmetres.
Atailingsforecastmodelwasdevelopedtoexploretrendsaffectingtailingsvolumes.Findingsare
summarizedinTableB.5below.AnelectroniccopyofthetailingsforecastmodelisinAppendixB.1.
TableB.5Highlightsofinformationobtainedfromthetailingsforecastmodel:
1. Oilsandextractioncreatestwotypesofwastedeposits:sanddepositsthataresolid,andfluid
tailingsdepositsthatmustbecontained.Wastederivedfromaverageoreis75%sandand
25%fluidtailings(MFT).
2. Foraverageorethevoidspaceinthesandisalmostequaltothevolumeoffluidtailings.
3. Finescaptureinthevoidspaceofsandisimportant:
a. Finescapturedinthesanddisplacewaterandtherebyreducewaterloss.
b. FinescapturedinthesandarenotavailabletomakeMFTinthepond.
4. Lowgrade(highfines)oreyieldslessbitumen,createsconsiderablymoreMFT,consumesmore
water,andresultsinhigherheatlossthanhighgradeore.
5. MethodsofreducingtheamountofMFTinclude:
a. Reduceclaydispersionintheextractionprocess.
6.
7.
8.
9.
b. Increasethedensityofthewasteslurrydischargedfromtheplant.
c. IncreasethedensityofMFT.
Heatlossisproportionaltotheamountofhotwaterdischargedfromtheplant.Itcanbe
reducedbydensifyingthewastedischargestream(captureandrecycleprocesswaterwiththe
containedheat).
WaterlossequalstheamountofwatertrappedinsandvoidsandinMFT.Watersurplusto
thoseneedsisavailableforrecycletotheplant.Waterlosscanbereducedbydensifyingthe
dischargestream(notedin6above)andbyreducingthecreationofMFT(Item5above).
Themodelforecaststhatmostoftheunrecoveredbitumenwillconcentrateinthepond.
Bitumenfollowswatertothepond,andthewateristhenrecycled.
IfMFTisdensifiedtoasolidstate,the%bitumenbyweightcouldriseto11%andthevolume
to17%.Iftailingsalsoincludesasphaltenes,theabovenumberscoulddouble.Thatsuggests
thatseriousconsiderationshouldbegiventorecoveringbitumenifMFTisreprocessed.
B.9TailingsDams
B.9TailingsDams
B.9.1Introductiontotailingsdams
Buildingcontainmentstructurestoholdfluidwasteisanimportantpartoftailingsmanagement.
Tailingsdykesaremassivestructures.TypicaldimensionsofthetailingsfacilitiesareshowninTableB.6
TableB.6Typicaldimensionsoftailingsdykes.
Height
Crestwidth
Sideslope
Footprint
50to100metres
50+metres
1:4withgoodfoundations
1:15overpoorfoundationssuchastheClearwaterFormation
1,500hectaresandabove
Thedykesprovidespacetostoresand,sodimensionscanbequitegenerous.
Atthestartofaprojectwasteisplacedonsurfaceuntilthereisroomtoplaceitinpit.TableB.7shows
highlightsofthesurfacepondproposedintheShellJackpineapplication(AlbianSands,2003).
TableB.7HighightsoftheJackpinesurfacetailingspond.
Designlifeofactivephase
6years
Footprint
1,600hectares
Dykeheight
50m
Holdingcapacity
Fluidtailings
278millionm3
Beachedsand
171millionm3
Compacteddykes
115millionm3
Total
565millionm3
Dykesareoftenconstructedofsandusingtheconstructioncellsdescribedearlier.Sandaccumulatesin
theconstructioncellandiscompactedbydozers.Finegrainedmaterialremainsinsuspensionandflows
tothetailingspond.
FigureB.19showsatailingsdykeconstructedusingthecentrelinemethod.FigureB.20showsthe
upstreammethodofdykeconstruction.
The Rock DoctorB.9TailingsDamsPage30
B.9TailingsDams
FigureB.19.Crosssectionofatailingsdyke
Centreline constructionmethod
Centreline
ofdyke
BeachedFill
WaterCap
EngineeredFill
Starterdyke
MFT
Nativesoilfoundation
Upstream
Downstream
FigureB.20Crosssectionofatailingsdyke
Upstreamconstructionmethod
WaterCap
BeachedFill
EngineeredFill
MFT
Starter
Dyke
Nativegroundfoundation
UncertainBeach
Foundation
StableBeach
Foundation
Withcentrelineconstructionallmaterialdownstreamofthecentrelineisaccumulatedinconstruction
cellsandcompacted.Materialplacedonthepondsideofthecentrelineispumpedontoabeach,butis
notcompacted.Materialthatisnotusedincellconstructionisdischargedontobeaches.
Withupstreamconstructiontheexternalfaceofthedykeisconstructedofcompactedcellsand.Sand
placedonthepondsideisbeachedbutnotcompacted.Asthedykegrowshigherthecompactedface
shiftsupstream.Eventuallythatplacesitaboveuncompactedbeachsands.Theadvantageofthe
upstreammethodisalowercostandapermanentexternalfacethatisreadytobereclaimed.The
disadvantageisapotentiallypoorfoundation.Thereisariskthatsanddepositedunderwaterwill
B.9TailingsDams
experienceliquefaction.Inaddition,thepoorfoundationmaypreventraisingthedykeabovethedesign
levelinthefuture.Dykeraisingiscommonwithoilsandtailingsponds.
B.9.2Constructingwithoverburdeninsteadofsand
Sometimesoverburdenorminewaste,insteadofsand,isusedtobuilddykes.
FigureB.21Indicateschangesindesignthatarerequiredwhenoverburdenissubstitutedforsand.
FigureB.21Crosssectionoftailingsdyke
Changeindykedesignifthereisashortageofsand
No
beach
Compacted
OverburdenDyke
Watercap
Chimneydrain
MFT
Beachbuffer
zone
Compacted
sanddyke
ChangeifsandisrequiredforCT
MFT
Traditionalconstructionwithtailingssand
Constructionwithoverburdenismoreexpensivethanbuildingwithsand.Activitiesthataddtothecost
ofconstructingearthstructureswithoverburdenvs.sandaresummarisedinTableB.8.
TableB.8Additionalcostsincurredwhenoverburdenisusedtobuilddykesinsteadofsand
Earthdykesaremorecomplicatedthanthosebuiltofsand(Fig.B.21).
Mustinspectandidentifysuitablematerialforconstructionattheborrowsource.
Mustselectivelyloadconstructionmaterialfortransport.
Transportingtheselectmaterialtotheconstructionsiteinvolves:
extrahauldistanceand
transportbytruckinsteadofbypipeline
B.9TailingsDams
Placematerialwhereneeded.
Compactmaterial(probablybydriving400tontrucksoverit).
Withnobeachtherewillnotbeanyfinescapture.ThatcouldincreasetheMFTby30%.
Theaddedcostoftheprecedingstepscouldbeafewdollarspercubicmetreofconstructionmaterial.
B.9.3Constructingretentionfacilitiesinpit.
Dykesareneededtoseparatewastestoragefrommineoperationsinpit.FigureB.11.showedhow
tailingsandminingworktogetheratSyncrude(Fair,2008).
Notallwasteisfluid.FigureB.22illustratesthedifferenceinapproachusedtostorefluidwastevs.
materialthatisstrongenoughtobeselfsupporting.
Figure B.22Showingdifferentcontainmentrequirements
Openmine
area
Dyke
Fluid
Waste
Open
MineArea
Toe
Berm
Stackable
solidwaste
B.10ProcessestodensifyMFT
AppendixB.4describesSoilPropertiesandBehaviour.Itsupplementsinformationprovidedinthis
chapterandisrecommendedreading.Thenovicemaywishtoreaditbeforereadingthischapter.
B.10.1Directtreatmentprocesses
MFTisaliquidthatwillrequireconfinementandsupportuntilitbecomesaselfsupportingsolid.
FigureB.23summarizesthebehaviourofasuspendedsolidasthesolidcontentchanges.
FigureB.23Relativevolumesofmineralsolidandwaterinfluidtailings
DataplottedonFigureB.23Include
1. Thesolidcontentincreasesfromlowvalueswithliquidlikepropertiesatthetopofthepageto
solidmaterialwithstrengthatthebottomofthepage.
2. Horizontalbarsacrossthepagerepresenttherelativeamountofwaterandsolidcorresponding
tothesolidorwatercontentindicated.
The Rock DoctorB.10ProcessestodensifyMFTPage34
3. Themiddlecolumndescribesbehaviourofasettlingsolidasitprogressesfromaliquidtoa
solid.
4. Thecolumnontherightdescribesmechanicalprocessesthatcanbeusedtodensifymaterials
likeMFTandindicatestherangeofeffectivenessofeach.
5. Thecolumnontheleftshowsnaturalprocessesthatdensifysuspensions.Italsoindicatesthe
watercontentofMFTandthetargetforsolidMFT.
Horizontalbarsrepresentthevoidratioofcorrespondingmaterial.Thevoidratioisdefinedasthe
volumeofvoidsperunitvolumeofsolidmaterial.Thetopbarcorrespondstosuspendedsolidsentering
thetailingspond.Ithasasolidcontentof5%to10%andavoidratioof24.Thatmeans24volumesof
waterperunitvolumeofsoil.
MFTisshown,withasolidcontentof30%andavoidratioof6.
Thetargetmaterialforreclamationasasolidmaterialhasasolidcontentofabout30%andavoidratio
ofabout1.5.
B.10.2BehaviourasMFTdensifies
Middlecolumnbehaviour
Themiddlecolumndescribesthebehaviourasamaterialchangesfromadiluteslurrytoasolidstrong
material.Atthetopofthechartparticlesexperiencefreesettlinginwater.Thenextstateishindered
settlingasparticlesbecomemorenumerousandinterferewitheachother.Finallyatabout30%solids
settlingstopsbecauserepulsiveforcesbetweenparticlespreventadenserpacking.
30%solidscorrespondstoMFTwhereasoilskeletonandthebeginningsofstrengthdevelop.
Withincreasingdensity,strengthdevelopsandthebehaviourprogressesfromliquid,toplastic,tosolid
behaviour.Theliquidlimitandplasticlimitsdefinethewatercontentbetweenthosezones.
B.10.3Mechanicalprocesses
ThecolumnontherightofFigureB.23progressesfromgravitysettlingtomechanicalprocessesthatare
listedinorderofcapability.
Thickeneroperations
Thickeneroperationusuallyinvolvesdilutiontoabout10%solidtoseparatesuspendedparticlesina
largediametertank.Aflocculentisaddedtodrawtheparticlesintoagglomeratesthatbehaveaslarger
particles.Gentlestirringbyrakesatthebaseofthethickener,sometimesaidedbysandaddition,andby
theweightofoverlyingmaterialforcingflockedmaterialtotheoutletinaconicalbaseaiddensification.
Thenormalprocessingyieldsadensityofabout30%solids.Higherdensitiesarereportedbutmaybe
duetotheadditionofsand.AsnotedinSection4.1ofAppendixB.4,addingsandaddstomassandto
volumebutnottostrengthatlowsandtofinesratios.
Thetypicalresidencetimeinathickenerishalfanhour.Ittakesafewyearstoachievethesamedensity
inatailingspondTheadvantageofthethickeneristhatitrecoversprocesswater,withitscontained
heat,thatcanthenberecycledandreused.Anotheradvantageofthethickeneristhatitdensifiesthe
plantstailingsoutletstream.Thatenhancesfinescaptureinsanddeposits.Thecapturedfinesarenot
availabletomakeMFT.
Superflocculatingagentsmayachievehigherdensitiesbutareapproachedwithcautionincasethe
presenceofthesuperflocinreturnwateradverselyaffectsextraction.(Gu,2009).
Filterbelt
Afilterbeltisaporousbelt.Inoperationasandblanketisplacedonthebelt.Thenfinesaretreatedwith
acoagulantandplacedontopofthesandblanket.Thecoagulantreleaseswaterfromthefines.Suction
appliedtothebottomofthebeltremoveswaterfromthematerialbeingtreated.Thesuctionforceis
notgreatbutitonlyhastoactonanarrowthicknessofmaterial.
Filterbeltshavebeenproposed(FineTailsConsortium1995e)buthavenotbeenusedincommercialoil
sandprocessing.Concerns:verylargeareasofbeltarerequiredtoprocesslargetonnagesoffines.In
addition,bitumenfromextractioncouldeasilyclogthebelt.
Filterpress
Afilterpressexertsahighmechanicalforceonasmallareatocompresssolidsandforcefluidfrom
them.Theyarerelativelysmallunitssohavenotbeenusedinoilsandprocessing.
Centrifugetreatment
Centrifugesapplythousandsoftimestheforceofgravitytoextractfluidfrommaterial.Theoutlet
streamsyieldssolidsatadensityofabout60%.Theotherstreamyieldswater,bitumen,andaminor
amountoffines.
Centrifugesareusedextensivelyinoilsandfrothtreatment.Theyhavenotbeenusedcommerciallyto
processMFT.Centrifugeshavebeensuccessfullypilotedindemonstrationplants(Fair,2008)(Logan
et.al.1984).However,testingatfullscaleisneededtoproperlyevaluatethepotentialofthis
technology.
Bruteforceheating
Thehighestlevelofmanmadedensificationinvolvesbruteforceheating.Itistooenergyintensiveand
expensivetoconsider.
Theprecedingtechnologiesofferaprogressiveapproachtodewateringfines.Twocautions:
Sandadditioncanaddtodensitywithoutaffectingstrengthandneedstobeunderstood.
Chemicalaidscanlowertheliquidlimit,andinturnchangesolidcontentatthetargetstrength.
B.10.4Naturalprocesses.
TheleftcolumnofFigureB.23showsnaturalprocessesthatdensifyfines.
Sedimentation
Dilutesuspensionsaredensifiedbynaturalsettlementandsedimentation.Asettlingparticlepasses
fromadilutesuspensionwhereitisunaffectedbyneighbours,toatransitionzonewhereotherparticles
hindersettlement.Whenthedensityreaches30%solidsinterferenceandrepulsiveforcesbetween
particleshaltfurthersedimentation.ThatmaterialisknownasmaturefinetailsorMFT.
Consolidation
ConsolidationprocessesaredescribedinSection6ofAppendixB.4.CurrentmethodsofplacingMFTdo
notaidconsolidation.Itisnotlikelytoworkintimeunlesssupplementedbywickdrains.
Suctionprocesses
NaturalprocessesarecapableofexertingsuctiontodensifyadepositofMFT.Underidealconditions,
suctionashighas10atmospherescanbeexertedthroughdrying,hydroponics,freezethaw,orby
addingdryswellingclay.Applicationofsuchlargeforcesisenoughtocompressafinegrainedsoiltoa
dense,strongstate.
Dryingtreatmentinvolvesremovingsurfacewaterandlettingtheexposedsoliddryout.Thetreatment
isasurfacephenomenonsoonlythinlayers(e.g.20cmthick)canbetreatedandrepeatedthroughthe
summer.Thesiteisslopedtofacilitatesurfacedrainage.Largeareasarerequiredtotreatlarge
quantities.
Hydroponicsinvolveusingplantstoexertsuctiononadepositoffines.Theplantscanprocessadeeper
profileofmaterialbutarestilllimitedbythinsurfaceeffectsandtheverylimitedgrowingseasonin
FortMcMurray.
Whenasoilfreezeswaterisattractedtothefreezingfrontwherepureiceforms.Thesuctionexerted
overloadsandcollapsessoilstructure.Whenthematerialthaws,icemeltsandthewaterisdrainedoff
beforeitcanbereassimilatedinthesoil.Asignificantthicknessofmaterialcanbetreatedby
freeze/thawiftheprocessesisrepeatedontopofapreviouslyfrozenlayer.Thelimitofhowmuchcan
betreatedperyearisprobablyrelatedtohowmuchcanbethawedthefollowingsummerseveral
metres.
Dryswellingclaywouldliketoabsorbmoremoisture.IfblendedwithMFTitwillextractwateruntilthe
watercontentofthetwomaterialsreachesastateofequilibrium.Thedryingcapabilityofthistechnique
isquitehigh,anddryswellingclaysareabundantinoverburdeninthemineableoilsandsarea.This
processisnotasurfacephenomenonsocanbeappliedtoanythicknessofmaterial.
Themainapplicationfordensificationbyblendingwithswellingclaymayberemovingthelastbitof
waterrequiredtomeetstrengthtargets.
Theprecedinglistshowsmechanicalandnaturalprocessesthatcandensifyfines.Itisunlikelythat
mechanicalprocessesalonewillbeabletoachievethedensitydesiredforsolidwaste.Naturalprocesses
willhavetobeusedasthefinishingprocess.
Thesodiumadsorptionrationofmaterialproposedfortreatmentbysuctionbasedprocessesthatrely
onnaturalwaterrunoff.(seeAppendixB.4).Soilswithahighsodiumadsorptionratioarehighlyerosive
sowilltendtoberemovedbyrunoffwater.
ItisunlikelythattherewillbeoneSilverBullettomeetalldensificationneeds.Itismorelikelythata
progressionofprocessesshouldbeusedwitheachworkinginthezoneinwhichtheyaremost
effective.
B.10.5MixturesPasteandCT
ThissectiondescribedcombinedprocessesthatareusedtodensifyMFT
Pasteisablendofcoarseandfinegrainedtailingsmaterial.Pasteisnonsegregatingoverarangeof
mixesandthatpropertyisusedtoadvantageintransportation,depositionandconsolidationoftailings.
Theuseofnonsegregatingmixesischangingtailingspractice.CTisanonsegregatingmixandis
describedbelow.
TheCTprocesswasdevelopedattheUniversityofAlbertainthelate1980s(Caughilletal.,1993).It
meetstheminersdreamofcreatingaproductthatcanbepumpedtothedisposalsite.Atthedisposal
siteCTreleasessurpluswaterandconsolidatestoasolidstatesuitableforreclamation.Atleastthats
whatoperatorshopewillhappen.
SomeoperatorsusevariationsofCTandcallitNonSegregatingTailsorNST.Theprocessesaresimilar.
CTiscreatedandusedasfollows:
MFTistreatedwithacoagulant(gypsum)andthenblendedwithsand.
Theblendcreatesanonsegregatingmixforsandtofinesratiosovertherangeof3to6.
Theresultingslurryisanonsegregatingblendthatcanbepumpedtoitsdisposalsite,
Atthedisposalsiteitflowstoitsfinalrestingplace,againwithoutsegregating,
Inplacethedepositslowlyreleasesexcesswater.Initiallyitreleasesexcesswater,andthen
waterreleasedbyconsolidation.
Afivemetersurchargeofsandisappliedatsurfacetoaccelerateconsolidationandto
providedesiredstrengthintheupperlayers.
Intime,thedepositconsolidatestoastrong,selfsupportingsolid.
TableB.9showstherelativevolumesassociatedwithCTmanufacture.
TableB.9RelativevolumesintheCTmakingprocess
Parameter
MFT
Sand
CTslurry
CTdeposit
Waterrelease
Estimatedtimeto
consolidate
Volume
m3
1.00
1.27
2.27
1.27
1.0
Solid
Content
30%
72%
57%
80%
Sand/fines
ratio
4.5
4.5
4.0
Timeto
consolidate
10years
Estimatedtimeto
consolidate
5.0
5years
CTdepositsarefluidsorequirecontainmentforseveralyearsuntiltheyconsolidatetobecomesolid
selfsupportingdeposits.
DespitemanyyearsofcommercialusethathasproducedtensofmillioncubicmetresofCTtheprocess
isstillunderreview.Apparentlyoperatorshaveexperienceddifficultymaking,transportingandplacing
onspecCT.AccordingtoHoulihanet.al.(2008),after10yearsofcommercialuse,Suncoronlyachieved
20%ofplannedproductionin2005.
TheCTprocessisanimportantpartofmanycommercialapplications.However,thereisaseverelackof
publicinformationabouttheresearchbehindtheconcept,howitissupposedtowork,thetarget
strengthforprocessedmaterial,operatingperformance,whatsuccessindicatorsarebeingused,and
theprobabilityofsuccess.
AzamandScott,(2005),developedaTernaryDiagramtomapthebehaviourboundariesofanon
segregatingmix.Itisathreedimensionalplotofsand,finesandwatercomponentsillustratedonFigure
B.24.
BoundariesthatcanbemappedontheTernarydiagraminclude:
Thesandmatrix,
Thefinesmatrix,
Wheresedimentationoccurs,
D=segregatingvs.nonsegregatingmixes,
Pumpablevs.nonpumpablemixes,
Saturatedvs.nonsaturatedmixes.
ForCTmanufacturetheboundaryofgreatestinterestistheboundarybetweensegregatingandnon
segregatingmixes.Thatdefinesasmixofmaterialsthatcanbepumped,depositedandallowedto
consolidate.
TheTernaryDiagrammaybeanoversimplificationofmaterialproperties.Anewchartisneeded
whenevertheclaycontentorclayactivitychangesinthefinesrepresented.
TableB.10summarizesconcernswiththeCTprocessingoption.
TableB.10ConcernswiththeCTprocessingoption
Demandexceedssandsupply
o Thedesiredsandtofinesmixis4and5.
o Thesandtofinesmixoforeaveragesbetween4and5.
o Anoperatingefficiencyof100%wouldberequiredtoprocessallMFT.
o AsupplementalsourceofsandwillbeneededtotreatthestrandedMFTinventoryor
Requireanotherprocesstofinishthejob.
CTrequirescontainmentuntilitconsolidates.Containmentisexpensive.
AttemptstoassignallsandtoCTproductionarecounterproductive
o Requiresdykeconstructionwithoverburdenmuchmoreexpensive
o LosebenefitoffinescaptureinsandthatmayincreaseMFTmakeby30%
o Losesafetyfeaturesthatbeachesaddtoretainingstructures.
CTperformanceafter10yearsofcommercialoperationhasnotbeendisclosed.
Sulphateadditionmaybefoodforbacterialactionundesirable.
Concernsthatthetreatmentisreversiblehavenotbeenansweredinpublic.
B.11StoringMFTunderawatercap
B.11.1
Permanentstorageunderawatercap
In1992SyncrudeproposedtosolidifyMFTusingCTtechnologyandtopermanentlystoresurplusfluid
tailingsunderawatercap.
Severalearlypapersdescribetheconceptandstudiesundertakentoconfirmitssuitability.(Nixetal,
1988),(Boergeretal,1990),(MacKinnonetal,1991),(Boergeretal,1992),(Gullyetal,1993),
(MacKinnonetal.,1995),Thepapersarefoundindiversepublications.Mostoftheauthorsareclosely
relatedtoprojectsthatstandtobenefitfromthepractice.
AkeyrequirementnotedintheearlypapersisthatthereshouldbenomixingbetweentheMFTand
theoverlyingwatercap.Thepapersexploredpossiblemixingbytheactionofsurfacewaves,andthe
designdepthofthewatercapwassettoat9metrestopreventsuchmixing.Theresearchersconcluded
thatgasevolutionfrombiologicalactivitywasunlikely!
Inthemid1990smethaneproducingbacteriabecameactiveinSyncrudesMildredLakeBasinand
vigorousbubblinghasbeenongoingsince.Limitedresearchrecognizethebacterialactivityandnote
thatitcouldaffecttheviabilityofthepermanentstoragescheme.(Holowenko,2000),(Li,2008).
Differentbacteriaareactive,consumingdifferentfood(naphtha(solventloss),sulphate(usedinCT),
andsodiumcitrate(addedatAlbianSandstoaidextraction).Theauthorwasunabletolocate
publicationsthatshowwhygasreleasefrombacterialactionshouldnotbeaconcern.
SyncrudeshowedtheviabilityofstoringMFTunderawatercapinsmallpits.Thedemonstrationpits
precededbiologicalactivity.AfullscaletestisplannedintheSyncrudebaseminelakestartingin2012.
TheexperimentwillinvolveplacingprocessaffectedwaterontopofMFTandobservingbehaviourover
thenextdecade.Furtherdetailshavenotbeendisclosed.
Themostrecentpublicationontheendpitlakeconceptprovidesanupdateontheconceptand
research(ClearwaterConsultants,2007).ThepaperquotedSyncrudereferencesextensively.Itnotes
thatitmaybedecadesorlongerbeforetheendpitlakewillqualifyforareclamationcertificate.Itdid
notevenmentionbiologicalactivityorstandardsthatgovernsafelocationsforperpetualstorageof
fluidwaste.Thosefactorsreallyneedtobeaddressed.Oneaspectofasuggestedguidelineforsafesites
forpermanentstorageoffluidtailingsisprovidedinFigureB.25.
The Rock DoctorB.11StoringMFTunderawatercapPage42
Sethisuggeststhatthatongoingbubblingrepresentsastateofflux.Hesuggeststhatbacteriashouldbe
putintoadormantstate.(Sethi,2009).
FigB.25Suggestedoffsettoprotectagainst
longtermgullyexposure
Reclaimedcap
Containment
Vulnerablezone
BaseLevel
1o
WeakTailings
Protectedzone
Challenges:
1. Thereisnopublicdocumentationoncriteriaforasafesurfacestoragesitetohold
contaminatedfluidinperpetuity.Twosuggestionsforsiteselection:
a. Mustnotbelocatedonasitewheregroundwatercoulddischargeatsurface.Most
locationsneartheAthabascaRiverarepotentialgroundwaterdischargesites.
2. Thesiteshouldbesafefromfutureexposurebyerodinggullies.Asuggestedsafegeometry
IndicatedonFigureB.25.Fluidshouldnotbestoredabovealineslopingupwardfroman
adjacentstreamorfromtheAthabascaRiverbaselevel.Theinclinationoftheslopingline
shouldbesetbequalifiedprofessionals(geographers,engineeringgeologists)andtheirview
ofthepotentialforlongtermgulleyerosion.Theauthorsuggeststhatinsandysoilthe
expectedslopeshouldbe1%orless.
3. Thereislimitedpublicpeerrevieweddocumentation
discussingtheconcept,
ofrecentverificationprograms,or
ofcontingencyplans.
4. Biologicalactivityinthefluidtailingsemitsconsiderablegascapableofmixingfluidtailings
withoverlyingwater.Littleifanypublicdisclosureoffieldperformanceandwhydevelopers
considerthistonotbeaproblem.Canweevenpredictfutureperformanceaslongasgas
emissionsareongoing?
5. Waterreleasefromconsolidationhasbeentakingplacefor40years.Ithasapparently
increasedbyordersofmagnitudesincethebiologicalreleaseofgasesshortenedthe
drainagepathforreleaseofconsolidationwater.Thereislittleifanypublicinformationon
therateoffluidemissionsfromfluidtailings.
6. In1992SyncrudeproposedtosolidifyMFTusingCT.Sincethentheyhaveonlytreated10%
oftheMFTcreated.Whathappenedtotheoriginalpromise?
7. RegulatorshavenotapprovedpermanentstorageofMFTunderawatercap.Insteadthey
haveadvocatedasolidtrafficablelandscapeinstead(Houlihanetal,2008)
8. Thereisnopublicinformationonhowfinancialassuranceisbeingprovidedtoensurethat
strandedfluidtailingswillbesatisfactorilydealtwith.Thetopicrequiresdisclosurebecause
thelargestownerofSyncrudeisaTrustwithnoothersourceofincometofundreclamation
obligations.
B.11.2Endpitlake
Attheendofoperationsthelastmineopeningwillbeusedasanendpitlake.Runofffromsitesurface
andgroundwaterwillbedirectedtotheendpitlake.Accumulatedwaterwillbemonitoredforquality,
priortodischarge.OperatorsalsoplantopermanentlystoreMFTinthebaseoftheendpitlake.
Itcouldbeseveraldecadesbeforethewaterintheendpitlakewillbereadyforrelease.(Clearwater
Consultants,2007).
Thereislittlepublicinformationabouttheendpitlakes.Keyconcerns:
Whenwilltheconceptbesharedwithpublicstakeholders.
Whatistheexpectedquantityandqualityofwaterthatwillenterthelakes.
Whatstoragecapacitywillberequiredtoholdrunoffuntilwatercanbedischarged?Creating
storagetohandledecadesofrunoffaforecastbyClearwaterConsultantscouldbeaserious
challenge.
Arethereplanstotreatwateriftheendpitlakesdonotselfcleanse?
Whatarethecontingencyplans?
Howdowefundclosureoperationsandcontingencyplansthatwilltakeplacedecadesafterthe
Operationsandincomeareover.
Theendpitlakeproposalappearstobeahighriskoption.AddingMFTstoragetothebaseofthelake
addsanunnecessarycomplication.
B.12Worldtailingspracticesandimage
B.12Worldwidetailingsmanagementpractices.
Itisinstructivetoexplorehowtheworldwideminingmanagestailings.
ThekeynoteaddressatPaste08,anannualinternationalminetailingsconference,presentsan
unflatteringsummaryofcurrentinternationaltailingsmanagement.(Bogeret.al.,2008).Highlightsof
thekeynoteaddressfollow:
Themineralsindustryistheworld'slargestproducerofwaste.
Therehavebeensignificantimprovementsinthickeninganddewateringtailingsthatofferand
potentialsavingsinreclamationandenvironmentalmanagementcosts.
However,anemphasisonexpendituredeferralpromoteslowcapitaltailingsdisposalsolutions.
Tailingsstoragefacilitiesallowwastestorageforalongperiodoftimewhiledeferring
expenditureonreclamationuntiltheendofmining.
Alargepartoftheindustrystillcontinuestopumplowdensitymaterialtoverylargedisposal
dams.Thedamsgetbiggerandbiggerandrepresentasignificantrisk.Theyalsorepresenta
significantcostwhenthetimecomestoreclaimthem.
Concernswithtailingsdamsincludeatendencytoleakandapotentialforcatastrophicfailure.
Twostandardsgovernfinancialreportingrequirements:"USbasedFinancialAccounting
Standard143:AccountingforAssetretirementObligations(SFAS143)andtheInternational
AccountingStandard37:Provisions,ContingentliabilitiesandContingentAssets(IAS37).Both
standardsrequirethatreclamationliabilitiesberecognizedonthebalancesheetassoonasthe
liabilityisincurred,andfortheamounttobediscounted.InadditionSFAS'43requiresthe
estimatebeincreasedbythetheoreticalcostofsettlingtheliabilitywithathirdpartyinorder
toestablishamarketvaluefortheliability.
o Generallyfuturereclamationliabilitiesarecomputedasfollows:
o Thefuturecostofreclamationisdeterminedbyinflatingcurrentcoststothefuturedate
whenreclamationmightoccur.
o Thefuturecostisthendiscountedbacktotodaybyapplyingasignificantdiscountrate
eachyear.
o Discounting,overthelongtimeframetypicalofminingventures,reducesthe
reclamationliabilitytoanegligibleamount.
o Discountingisasystematicbiastowardshorttermprofitability.
o Historically,industrywideenvironmentalimprovementshavebeenachievedthrough
mandatingrequirementsviaregulation."
TableB.11summarizessomesideeffectsofdiscountingoverlongperiodsoftime.
The Rock DoctorB.12WorldtailingspracticesandimagePage45
B.12Worldtailingspracticesandimage
TableB.11Effectofdiscountingoverlongperiodsoftime.
Discountingseverelyreducestheapparentcostoffuturereclamationliabilities;
Discountingjustifiesdeferringreclamationandmaximizingshorttermprofits;
Reducingthecostoffuturereclamationliabilities:
o Reducestheneedtosetfundsasidetomeetfutureobligations,
o Reducestheneedtoverifythefeasibilityofreclamationandclosureplans,
o Reducestheincentiveforresearchtofindabetterapproach,
o Createsfalseshorttermprofitsthatrewardthosewhomanagethediscountdeception.
Buildinglargeinventoriesoffluidtailingscreatesriskof:
o Accumulatinglargerandlargerliabilitiesthatwillhavetobedealtwithinfuture,
o Increasesriskofseepageorcatastrophicfailure,
o Thedeveloperbeingunabletopayforthereclamation,
o Accumulatedliabilitiescauseaprematurehalttooperationsiftheyexceedfuturevalue,
o Untestedreclamationplansmaynotbefeasible.
ThecurrentapproachiscontrarytotwounderlyingprinciplesoftheAPEAAct(Alberta,1993):
FailuretodisclosereclamationtechnologyandplanspreventsAlbertansfromproviding
inputtoreclamationdecisions.
Deferredreclamationtransfersreclamationliabilitiestofuturegenerations.
Theprecedingactionsarenotwhatthepublicexpectsofresponsiblemanagement.
TableB.12summarizessideeffectsofbookingreclamationastheyoccur.
TableB.12EffectofbookingreclamationliabilitiestheyoccurbyfundingaQET.
PlacingfundsofequivalentvalueinaQualifyingEnvironmentalTrust:
o Recognizesreclamationliabilitiesastheyoccur
o Discountingcannotreducethevalueoftheliability
o Theproceduresetsfundsasidetopayforfuturereclamationactivities.Itdoesnottransfer
liabilitiestofuturegenerations.
o Reducesthedeveloperscostofreclamation.QETfundingisanoperatingexpensethat
triggersfiscalsharing.Inthehighlytaxedoilsandsindustrythataverages50%.
o Createsanincentiveforprogressivereclamationasithasbeenpaidfor.
o Progressivereclamationreducesstockpiledtailingswiththeassociatedrisks.
o Progressivereclamationreducestheneedforfinancialassurance.
Withthevalueoftheliabilityretained:
o Thereisastrongincentivetoverifyreclamationandclosureplansandtheircosts.
o Thereisanincentivetoinvestinresearchtoimprovereclamationandclosureplans.
TheprecedingactionsarecompatiblewiththeintentionsoftheAEPEAAct.
Theprecedingactionsarecompatiblewithpublicexpectationsofresponsiblemanagement.
OilsandindustryoperatorscouldimprovetheirimagebyadoptingtheconceptsbehindTableB.12.
The Rock DoctorB.12WorldtailingspracticesandimagePage46
B.13Screeningtechnologyoptions
B.13.1Introduction
Thissectionexploreswhatisinvolvedinscreeningtailingstechnologies.Topicsinclude:
Characteristicsofmineableoilsandprojects
Typicalstepsinvolvedinscreeningtechnologyoptions
Typicalapproachestoeconomicanalysisandtheimplicationstothescreeningprocess
Examples
Conclusionsandrecommendations
AboutQualifyingEnvironmentalTrusts
Assigningcoststofuturereclamationobligations
B.13.2Characteristicsofoilsandprojects
Mineableoilsandprojectshaveuniquecharacteristicsthataffecttheappropriateapproachtoeconomic
screening.TableB.13summarizessomeimportantcharacteristicsofoilsandprojects.TableB.14shows
thetimelineforsiteuse.
TableB.13CharacteristicsofmineableOilSandProjects
Largesize,
Longprojectlife(upto100years),
Largereclamationliabilitieslinkedtoproduction:
-
Landdisturbance,
-
Fluidtailings,
-
Closurecosts.
Longtimebetweenwhenareclamationliabilityiscreatedandwhenitisdealtwith:
- Fluidtailingscurrently25to40+years,
- Landreclamationcurrently30to40+years,
- Closureactivities50to100years.
Complex fiscal terms that involve capital cost allowances, Alberta royalty, Alberta and Federal
incometax,andfiscalsharingofprofitsandexpenditures.Afterpayout,between45%and56%of
profitandexpensesisdirectedtogovernments,
A high project rate of return is needed to justify the initial investment and to support the fiscal
terms.
TableB.14Typicaltimelineforsiteuse
Year
Landuse
02
Sitepreparation
220
Openpitmine
2030
Siteoccupiedbytailingspond
The Rock DoctorB.13ScreeningTechnologyOptions
Page47
3040
Solidifytailings
4050
Reclaimsurface
100
Siteclosure
InformationinTables1and2wasderivedfromFair,(2008);Syncrude,(2006);andSyncrude,(2007).It
showsthatreclamationoftailingsanddisturbedlandscanbedelayedby20to50years.Italsoshows
thatclosureactivitiescanbedelayedbyupto100years.
B.13.3.Stepsusedtoscreentechnologyoptions
StepsinscreeningtailingstechnologiesareoutlinedinTableB.15.
TableB.15Typicalstepstoscreentechnologyoptions.
1. Establishgoalsfortheprojecte.g.
Reclaimtailingsasasolidlandscape.
Qualifyforareclamationcertificatewithinafewdecadesafteroperationscease.
2. Identifycandidateoptionsthatwillachievethosegoals.
3. Foreachoption:
a. Identifyplanstousetheoptionthroughdevelopment,operationsandclosure.
b. Identify full lifecycle capital and operating costs associated with the above. (If we are
comparingoptionsweonlyneedtoidentifycostdifferences.)
c. Conductaneconomicassessment.
d. Appraisetheprobabilityofsuccess.
4. Choosetheoptionthatwillmosteconomicallymeetprojectgoals.
Projectsspendconsiderableeffortexploringtheviabilityofdifferenttechnologiesandtheprobablecost
vs.time.Equivalenteffortshouldbespentevaluatingtheeconomicevaluationprocessbecauseitcan
haveamajoreffectontheoutcomeofscreeningstudies.
B.13.4Characteristicsofeconomicanalysis
Economicevaluationsappraisethecashflowoverthelifeofaproject.Theyconvertfutureexpenditures
to today by applying discounts. All economic evaluations apply some form of discounting to future
incomeorexpenditurestoconvertthemtopresentvalue.
Figure B.26 shows the effect of discounting to determine the present value of future obligations. The
plotshowsarapiddropinvaluewithtime.Lossisgreatestwhenhighdiscountratessuchas20%or30%
areappliedoverlongperiodsoftime.Theyreducethevalueoffutureobligationstonearzeroin20to
30years.
TraditionaleconomicevaluationoftailingsoptionswouldcombinethetrendsofFigureB.26(effectof
high discount rates) with the trends of Table B.13 (long time spans). The combination significantly
Page48
reducesoreliminatesfutureexpenditureobligations.Thatmeansthatdecisionsaboutthesuitabilityof
tailingsoptionsaremadewithoutconsiderationoffutureexpenditureobligations.
FigureB.26EffectofDiscountFactorandTime
100%
90%
30%Discount
20%Discount
80%
10%Discount
70%
5%Discount
Residualvalue%
2%Discount
60%
50%
40%
30%
20%
10%
0%
1
11
21
31
41
51
61
71
81
91
Timeinyears
TableB.16liststhreeapproachestoeconomicscreeningthatwereusedtoevaluatetailingsoptionsin
PartAofthisreport.
TableB.16Threeeconomicscreeningmethodsusedtoevaluateoilsandtailingsoptions.
1. Comparetheundiscountedcostdifferencesvs.timeforeachoption.
2. Comparetheundiscountedcostdifferencesvs.timeconsidering:
a. Costvs.timeasinmethod1above.
b. Recognizethevalueofreclamationobligationsastheyarecreated.
c. Deposit an amount equivalent to the reclamation liability as it is created in a Qualifying
Environmental Trust as reclamation liabilities are incurred. Funds can be withdrawn as
reclamationisundertaken.
3. Finally, compare leading contenders in a project economic model that duplicates the project
financial environment. The model considers all applicable fiscal terms such as Alberta royalty,
capitalcostallowances,andincometax.
Netpresentvaluecomparisonsisoftenusedinsteadofundiscountedcosts.Netpresentvalueanalysis
appliesdiscounting.AsFigureB.26showsdiscountingoverlongperiodsoftimedistortsanddiminishes.
thevalueoftheparameterunderstudy.Discountingdoesnotreducefutureobligationsifmethod2.c
aboveisused.PlacingfundsinaQualifyingenvironmentalTrustretainsthevalueofthereclamation.
Page49
Method three is required to verify that the conclusions of simple screening test still apply to the
complexfiscalenvironmentthatappliestooilsandsprojects.
Appendix B.1 contains electronic models that allow user input to evaluate technology and operating
options.Modelsandspreadsheetsinclude:
A spread sheet for each tailings technology studied in Report A. Information includes material
balances, site activity, work, capital and operating costs vs time for each technology. Capital and
operatingcostsaresuggestedbuttheusercaninputtheirownvalueforcapitalandoperatingcosts
ifdesired.Technologiesarerankedbycomparingtheunitcostofprocessingonecubicmetreofore.
A full project economic model is provided. It addresses royalty, capital allowances, provincial and
federal income tax to represent the complex fiscal environment that oil sand projects operate in.
Tailings technologies are compared by entering technology specific capital and operating costs vs
timeinthemodelwhileotheraspectsofthebusinessareheldconstant.Comparisonoftheoverall
project rate of return for each technology indicates economic performance. Input parameters are
suggestedbutthemodelallowsuserstoinputtheirowndataifdesired.
Atailingsforecastmodelisprovided.Itallowsuserdefinedinputtoevaluatetheeffectofdifferent
materialoroperatingparametersontailingsoutput.
Themodelsandspreadsheetsshowtrends.Theyareprovidedtohelptheuserunderstandtherationale
used to appraise the different tailings technologies. The models should also help the user understand
themanyinteractionsinvolvedinevaluatingtailingsperformance.
1.
B.13.5Resultsofscreeningstudies
Screeningtailingstechnologies
Figures A.19 and A.20 from Section A of this report are repeated below. They show the effect of
screeningcostdifferencesusingundiscountedunitcosts.Netpresentvaluecomparisonyieldsthesame
trendsifmethod2.CofTableB.16isused(fundaqualifyingenvironmentaltrust)
Page50
UnitcostpercubicmetreofAverageOre
FigureA.19CostDifferencesBetweenTailingsTechnologies
Comparescostsforcapital,operations,relatedtoearthwork,
tailingsandheatloss.
$4.00
HeatLossCosts
$3.50
TailingsCosts
EarthCosts
$3.00
OperatingCost
$2.50
CapitalCost
$2.00
$1.50
$1.00
$0.50
$
Base
T1
T2
CT2
Cent
BaseCase=conventionaloilsandsplantthatmakesMFT
T1 ThickenerwithoutcyclonesT2 Thickenerwithcyclones
CT2 CTPlantprocessingoreandfinesderivedfrom theoreprocessed
Cent=inplantcentrifugecreating"solidwaste"
Figure A.19 compares undiscounted unit cost for the different tailings technologies. Environmental
costsarenotincludedbecausetraditionaleconomicanalysisdiscountsthemthetrivialamounts.This
methodfavoursoptionsontheleftthatpostponespending,stockpilefluidtailings,andinsodoing,
transfer environmental obligations to future generations. The favoured technologies do not prepare
theprojectforclosure.
Unitcostpercubicmetreof"Average"Ore
FigureA.20CostDifferencesBetweenTailingsTechnologies
Considerskeylifecyclecosts
$4.00
$3.50
ClosureFund
$3.00
WaterTreatmentFund
MFTReclamation
$2.50
LandReclamation
HeatLossCost
$2.00
TailingsCost
EarthCost
$1.50
OperatingCost
CapitalCost
$1.00
$0.50
Base
T1
T2
CT2
Cent
BaseCase=conventionaloilsandsplantthatmakesMFT
T1=ThickenerwithoutcyclonesT2 Thickener withcyclones
CT2 CTPlantprocessingoreandfinesderivedfromoreprocessed
Cent=inplantcentrifugecreatingsolidwaste
Page51
FigureA.20comparesundiscountedaverageunitcoststhatrecognizereclamationobligationsasthey
areincurred.Thatisaccomplishedbydepositingfundsequalinvaluetothereclamationobligationtoa
qualifiedenvironmentaltrust.Thismethodfavourstheoptionontheright,takescareofreclamation
obligationsonanongoingbasis,andavoidstransferofenvironmentalobligationstofuturegenerations.
Thefavouredtechnologyadvancestheprojecttowardclosure.
ScreeningoptionsofwhentoprocessMFT
ManyoilsanddevelopmentsplantostockpileMFTatthestartofoperations.Theyplantoaddfacilities
totreattheinventoryofMFTafterwastestorageoperationsmoveinpit.
SectionA.4.4.3ofReportAdealtwiththetopicofaddingMFTtreatmentfacilities.Itsuggeststhata
plantisbarelyabletoprocessfinesgeneratedinsidetheplant.TheabilitytoprocessstockpiledMFT
dependsonthesizeofthestockpileandonCTprocessingefficiencyintheplant.
TheCTprocesshasbeenusedtotreatMFTincommercialoilsandplantsforover10years.Despitethe
longperiodofusepublicinformationontheCTperformance,andonCTprocessingefficiencyisnot
available.However,thereareindicationsthatindustryhashadsignificantdifficultymeetingproduction
targets.(Houlihanet.Al.2008).
PublicdisclosureabouthistoricCTperformanceisneededbeforedeveloperscanexpectpublic
acceptanceofplansaccumulatefluidtailings.Theplansshouldbejustifiedbyeconomicassessmentthat
recognizesreclamationobligationsastheyarecreated.
B.13.6Conclusiononscreeningoptions.
Traditionalscreeningofprojectoptionsinvolvesdiscountingcashflowsoverlongperiodsoftime.The
combinedeffectofthosefactorsseriouslyreducesfuturereclamationobligations.Theresultsfavours:
deferringreclamationexpenditures,
approachesandtechnologiesthatinvolvehighriskandarenotpreparingtheprojectforclosure,
transferofliabilitiestofuturegenerations.
Thetraditionalapproachcreatesfalseshorttermprofits,andrewardsthosewhousethisapproach.
Screening methods that recognize environmental obligations as they are incurred favour different
projectoptions.Theyfavour:
ongoingreclamation,
optionsthatinvolvelowerrisk,
technologiesthatpreparetheprojectforclosure,
approachesthatavoidtransferringliabilitiestofuturegenerations.
Projectsshouldusescreeningmethodsthatrecognizereclamationobligationsastheyareincurred.
Page52
B.13.7QualifyingEnvironmentalTrusts
Qualifying Environmental Trusts (QET) are formal trusts allowed under federal law. The Trusts are
createdtoacceptdepositstocoverfuturereclamationobligations.
Depositstoqualifyingenvironmentaltrustsarerecognizedasoperatingexpenses.Withthefiscalterms
thatapplytooilsandsprojects,thatmeansthatgovernmentsandthedeveloperwillshareinthecostof
makingthedeposittotheQET.
FundsusedforlegitimatereclamationactivitiescanbewithdrawnfromtheTrusttaxfree.
InterestearnedbytheTrustistaxedasincometothedeveloper.Thatisanincentiveforthedeveloper
toacceleratereclamation,andreclaimthedepositsatanearlydate.
B.13.8Assigningavaluetofuturereclamationcosts.
TableB.17suggestshowthecostofreclamationobligationsshouldbedetermined.
TableB.17Assigningacosttoreclamationobligations
1. Reclamationobligationsstartwhentheliabilityiscreatednotwhenreclamationfundsare
spent;
2. Reclamationplansshouldusetechnologythatisproventoday:
Informationabouthowthetechnologyworks,andhowitwasprovenshouldbe
availableinpublicpeerreviewedtechnicaljournalspreferablyCanadian;
Thepersonadvocatingthetechnologymustbeprofessionallyqualifiedtodoso.
3. Costassumetodayscostforworkperformedbyanindependentthirdparty:
Verifiedbypublicdisclosureofoperatingexperience,
Verifiedbyanindependentthirdpartyauditifrequested.
4. Uncertaintycostsshouldincreasedtoaccountforuncertainty
Addafactortoaccountforuncertaintyover:
i. Viabilityoftechnology,
ii. Accuracyofcosts,
iii. Viabilityofreclamationandclosureplans,
iv. Workafteroperationsceasenoincome,nofiscaloffsetsothecosttothe
operatordoubles.
Page53
B.14OilsandtailingsR&D
B.14OilSandTailingsR&D
B.14.1IntroductiontotailingsR&D
Athoroughreviewofresearchneedsforoilsandtailingsisnotpartofthecurrentassignment.
DocumentationonrecommendedactivitiesisavailableintheOilSandsTechnologyRoadmap(Alberta
ChamberofResources,2004)Flint,(2005),andthewebsitefortheOilSandsTailingsResearchFacility
inDevon.
Theintenthereistoreviewhowresearchtakesplace,whodoesit,atwhatscale,howitisfunded,and
theoveralleffectiveness.
AlistofsuggestedR&DtopicsisprovidedinAppendix5.
AspecificprogramforcentrifugetestingisalsoprovidedinAppendix5.
B.14.2IncentiveforR&D
ThefollowingtypesofR&Dareneededfortailingsmanagementandplanning:
Fundamentalunderstandingofhowprocessesworksotheoptimumsystemcanbedeveloped.
Teststoverifyunderstandingofprocessesandtoprovidedataforscaleup.
Demonstrateteststoverifyperformanceandcostsatcommercialscale.
Newtailingstechnologyrequiresthoroughscreeningbeforeitcanbeused.Processesmustbescreened
toensurethattheydonothaveanadverseeffectonbitumenextraction.Ifthereisanadverseeffecton
extraction,thecostoflostproductioncouldbeimmense.
Asecondarearequiringextensiveresearchinvolvesreclamationandclosureplansandthetechnologies
involved.Projectsneedcleargoalsforclosuresoeffectiveresearchcanfindtheoptimumpathtoreach
thosegoals.Otherwise,theycouldaccumulatestrandedfluidtailingsthatwillbeexpensivetocorrect.
Projectsthatlast100yearsmustnotbeguidedbyflawedeconomicproceduresthatdiscountfuture
obligations.Asthepreviouschaptershowed,discountingoverlongperiodsoftimecancausefuture
obligationstodiminishanddisappear.Projectsareunlikelytofindtherightpathtoclosureifthe
businessmodeltrivializesclosurecosts.
Reclamationandclosureofasystemthatmovesonemilliontonnesofmaterialperdayisvery
expensive.Itisessentialthatthepathforwardbewellunderstoodandleadtotimelyclosure.Itwillbe
veryexpensivetochangethepathatalaterdate.
The Rock DoctorB.14OilsandtailingsR&DPage54
14.3SuggestedprojectgoalsfortailingsR&D
Thewriterisunawareofpublishedprojectgoalsforoilsandresearch.Ifyoudon'tknowwhereyouare
going,youwillprobablyendupsomewhereelse.Suggestedgoals,thatreflecttoday'sexpectations,are
notedinTableB.18.
TableB.18SuggestedprojectgoalsfortailingsR&D.
1.Qualifyforatimelyreclamationcertificate.within20yearsafteroperationscease.
2.Reclaimfluidtailingsasaselfsupportingsolid;or,justifyanalternativeapproach.
3.Atanearlydate,confirm,andcontinuallyreconfirm,thatcurrentreclamationandclosure
plansareviableandrepresentthemosteffectivepathforward.
4.Atanearlydate,confirmtheviabilityofkeytechnologiesthattheplansrelyon.
5.Conductlargescaleteststodemonstratethatplansworkandatwhatcost.
6.Useprogressivereclamationtolimitaccumulatedliabilities.
7.Researchlowercostalternatives.
8.ComplywiththeintentoftheAlbertaEnvironmentalProtectionandEnhancementAct:
a.Acceptresponsibilityforalldisturbancesandreclaimthemresponsibly.
b.Qualifyforatimelyreclamationcertificate.
c.AllowAlbertanstoinputonmattersaffectingtheenvironment.
d.Nointergenerationaltransferofliabilities.
e.Providefinancialassurancethatfundswillbeavailabletomeetrequirementsfor
areclamationcertificate.
9.Gainpublicsupportforplansby:
a.Clearpublicdisclosureofreclamationandclosureplans,contingencyplans,the
technologiesinvolvedandindicatehowreclamationwillbepaidfor.
b.Publicdisclosureofkeytechnologiesinpeerreviewedtechnicaljournalspreferably
Canadian.
10.Whenunexpectedbehaviourisencounteredthatchallengesthefeasibilityofcurrentplans,
promptlyresearchthebehaviourandpublishconclusionsthatverifycontinuationofcurrent
plans,(e.g.effectofbiogenicgasemissionsfromMFT).Alternatively,outlinecontingencies.
Finallyweshouldlookatsuggestionsfromexternalsources.SuggestionsfromA.Sethi(Sethi,2009)are
presentedherebecausetheydonotappeartobeconsideredincurrenteffortsonfluidtailingsresearch:
1.Processesmustmeetperformancestandardsunderanaerobicaswellasaerobicconditions.(It
isdifficulttoappraiseanaerobicconditionsinlaboratoryexperimentsandsmallpilotfacilities).
2.Createanenvironmentthatpromotesattractionbetweensolidparticles,sostrengthcan
developinashortperiodoftime.
3.Restorebacterialactiontoadormantstate.
4.MFTtreatmentmustnotbereversible.
Theprecedingguidanceislongwindedbut,intheauthor'sview,isneeded.
14.4CharacteristicsoftailingsR&D
ThefollowingTablescharacterizetailingsR&D.
TableB.191iststhetypesofresearchneededforoilsandstailings.Thescopeprogressesfromsmallto
verylarge.
TableB.20liststheplayers,theroleofeachandtheirsourceoffunding.
TableB.21describesthecostoftailingsresearch.Afterfiscalsharing,SR&EDincometaxcredits,shared
coststhroughcooperativeprogramsandpossiblegrants,thepublicpaysmostofthecostofresearch,
evenonlargecommercialdemonstrationtests.
Universityresearchrelatedtooilsandsisguidedbyindustryadvisors.Oilsandrelatedresearch
programslistedontheOilSandTailingsResearchFacilitywebsiteisimpressive.Muchoftheuniversity
researchisfundedbythegovernmenti.e.thepublic.
TableB.19Typesofoilsandtailingsresearch
Type
Deskstudies
Benchscale
Pilot
Fieldpilot/demonstration
Commercialdemonstration
Scale
Smalltolarge
Purpose
Developunderstanding
Screenoptions
Scoperesearchprograms
Small
Verifypredictions
Intermediate
Verifypredictions
Measureperformance
Informationfordemodesign
Large
Verifyperformance
Informationforcommercial
design
Verifypredictionand
Verylarge
E.g.Syncrude5millionm3CT performance
Providecostdata
demonstration
Gainpublicacceptance.
Proposedtesttoevaluate
thefeasibilityof
permanentlystoringMFT
underawatercap.
20yearsafterfirstproposed
Willlastforover10years
andinvolve200millionm3
ofMFT
TableB.20Researchplayers,theirrole,sourceoffunding
Who
Role
Projectstaffresearch
Researchtofacilitateunderstanding
Design,execution,andinterpretationof
verificationtests
Troubleshooting
Interactwithexternalresearchers
Sourceoffunding
Projectfinancing
Maybeaidedbyresearch
grants
TableB.20Researchplayers,theirrole,sourceoffunding(continued.)
Projectstaff
Managepilotandverificationtests
operations
Identifyoperationsneeding
improvement
Developcostdata
Governmentresearchers Plan,executeandinterpretfundamental
researchprograms,
Fundamentalresearch
Addtoknowledgebase
Checkondirectionofprojects
Adviseregulators
Governmentresearchers Adviseprojects
Undertakespecificprogramsforprojects
Contractresearch
Independentresearch
University
precompetitive
Universitycontract
Cooperativeresearch
Multiparty
Coordinated
throughCONRADor
PTAC
Fundingagencies
Usuallyfocusonnearterm
improvements
Fundamentalresearch
Afocusonindustryproblemsaids
funding
Focusedcontractresearch
Design,executeandinterpretresults
Cooperativeprograms
Managementbyoneproject
Participantsinputtoprogramgolas,
designandinterpretation
Sharedcostsandresults
Identifyareasneedingresearchand
providefundingforthem
Projectfinancing
Maybeaidedbyresearch
grants
Governmentfunding
Projectfinancing
Maybesupplementedby
matchingfundsfrom
government.
Selffinancing
ResearchGrants
Usuallygovernment(NSERC)
Occasionallysponsoredby
projects
Researchgrants
Projectfinancing
Costsareshared
Governmentsupport
Maysupportprojectfunding
TableB.21HowR&Dfundingissubsidized
Projectfundingissubsidizedby:
Fiscaloffsetsthat,afterprojectpayoutamountto45%to56%ofprojectcosts,
Someresearchprojectsqualifyforroyaltyoffsets,
SR&EDincometaxcredits,
Fundmatchingifgovernmentresearchfacilitiesorgrantingagenciesareinvolved,
Universityresearchmaybeguidedbyindustryadvicewhilepaidforbythegovernment.
Thenetresultisthatoilsandprojectsonlypay25%to50%ofthecostofresearchanddevelopment.
Thepublic,viagovernmentfundingandfiscalsharing,paystherest.
B.14.5Largescaletailingstechnologyresearch
TableB.22listsmajortailingstechnologiesthathavebeenevaluatedinlargescalefieldtests.
TableB.22Majortailingstechnologiesstudiedinlargefieldpilotprograms.
Developer
Largetailingsresearchprograms
Syncrude
Maintainalargeresearchfacility
Tailingstechnologiesstudiedinlargescalefieldtests(Fair,2008)(Lahaie,2008):
Sandstacking
Thickenerperformancetests
CTdemonstrationandcommercialoperations
MFTunderawatercap
oTestedinfieldscalefacilities
oAfullscaledemonstrationtestisplanned
UseofswellingclaytosolidifyMFT
Freezethawtests
Acceleratedreclamation(drying)
Suncor
Donothaveadedicatedresearchfacilitybuthavefieldtestedthefollowing:
CTcommercialoperations
Freezethawtests
Dryingtests
Thickenerdensificationfollowedbydepositiononagradualslopetoenhance
runoffandsolidificationbydrying.
Novelminingequipmentthatcanprocessoilsandinthemineandavoid
transportationtoandfromthecentralplant.
Shell
Havealargededicatedresearchfacility
Haveadoptedthickenedtailingsfortheircommercialfacility
Havealargefieldpilotfacility
ImperialOil Havealargededicatedresearchfacility
Researchedlowtemperature,noncausticextractionandtailings
Cooperative Cooperativeresearchprogramsareundertakenthroughorganizationssuchasthe
Research
CanadianOilSandsNetworkforResearchandDevelopment,andthePetroleum
TechnologyandResearchConsortium).Inadditiontosharedworkprogramsthe
organizationshostseminarstoshareinformation.Thewebsitedoesnotallowpublic
access.
B.14.6IndependentResearch
Manyindustriesmakegooduseofindependentresearch.Ourgovernmentexpectstheretobearolefor
independentresearchbecausegovernmentagenciessuchastheAlbertaEnergyResearchInstituteand
federalIndustrialResearchProgramfundindependentresearch.Theoilsandsindustrymakesgooduse
ofresearchfacilitiesthatuseotherpeoplesmoneybutlittleuseismadeofprivateresearchfacilities.
NewTechnologyMagazine(NewTechnology,May,2009)reportsincreasingfrustrationoverthe
apparentcloseddoorattitudeofoilsandoperationsagainstnewapproachesproposedbyoutside
researchers.Reasonsforthecloseddoorimagearedescribedinthenextsection.
Somenovelthirdpartytechnologiesthatshouldbeappraised,andifsuccessful,adoptedinclude:
TheSethiStrandprocess,(Sethi,2009)solidifiesfluidtailings,whilemakingsomeofthemajor
contaminantsinsoluble.Useisnotlimitedbytheavailabilityofsand.
R.J.OilSands(R.J.OilSands,2009)usetheturbulenceofajetpumptoseparatebitumenfromslurries
includingMFT.(BitumenshouldberecoveredifMFTissolidified.)
GradekEnergy(www.Gredekenergy.com)offeroleophilicbeadstoextractbitumenorsolventfrom
tailingswastestreams.Atechnologyisneededtoremovesolventpresentinthetailingspond.
Centrifugeprocessing,describedinthePartAreportestablishesabenchmarkthatindustryisinvitedto
beat.
Itisnotnecessaryforeachcandidatetechnologytorepeateverythingthatanoilsandextractionfacility
does.Integratingkeycomponentsmaybemoreuseful.
B.14.7Anillustrationofthedifficultyintegratingindependentresearch
Thefictionalstorythatfollowsillustrateswhyitisdifficulttointegrateindependenttechnology.
Fromtheinventor'spointofview
Aninventorisawarethatcommercialoilsandplantshavelargevolumesoffluidtailingsthatshouldbe
solidifiedbeforethelandcanbereclaimed.
Theinventorobtainsfundingtodevelopaprocesstosolidifyfluidtailings.An"angel"investorprovided
mostofthefundingthatwassupplementedbyfundingfromagovernmentagency.Inadditionthe
inventorcontributedyearsofhisowntime.
Theinventordevelopedanovelprocessthatsolidifiesfluidtailingsandrecoversbitumencontainedin
it.Anticipating2%bitumenintailingstheexpectedbitumenrecoveryisone6thofabarrelofbitumen
percubicmetreoftailingsprocessed.Theprocessisprotectedbypatentsownedjointlybytheinventor
andthe"angel"investor.Theangelinvestorwouldliketolicensetheprocesstoacommercialprojectat
aratethatprovidesariskadjustedreturnonhisinvestment.
Theinventorseeksanopportunitytodemonstratetheprocessatacommercialoilsandfacility.Inan
honestdiscussionwiththecommercialfacilityheexpresseshisexpectationsthatinclude:
Supportforatesttodemonstratetheabilitytosolidifyfluidtailingsandtorecoverbitumen.
Ifthetestissuccessfultheinventorwilllicensethetechnologytotheoilsandproject.Theoilsand
operatorwillbearthecostofconstructingandoperatingthefacilityandwillpayaroyaltyequaltothe
perceivedvalueofthebitumenrecoveredabout$50perbarrel
Theoperatorofthecommercialplantsuggeststhatapriceof$5or$10perbarrelofbitumenwouldbe
morerealistic.
Theinventorleaves,convincedthatbigbusinessisgouginghimandconvincedthattheoperatorhasno
realinterestinreclaimingfluidtailings.The"Angel"issimilarlyconvincedthatthisisapoorplaceto
investandwithdrawsfundingsupport.
Fromtheoilsandoperator'spointofview
Theoperatorbelievesthattheinventordoesnotunderstandthecomplexityofanoilsandsplantand
howtheinventionmightfitintoit.Factorsthattheinventordoesnotunderstand:
Thedeveloperhasinvestedinanintegratedproductionfacility.
Bitumenproductionisdesignedtokeeptheupgradersuppliedwithbitumen.
Thepostedoperatingcostfortheintegratedfacilityis$35perbarrelofsyntheticoil.
Thecostofproducingbitumenisonethirdofthetotalorabout$12perbarrel.
Eachbarrelofbitumenreceivedfromothersourcesidlestheoperator'sinstalledfacilities.
Thequalityofbitumenproducedfromtheinventorsfacilityhasunknownpropertiesthatposea
risktoupgrading.Anyadverseimpactonproductionfromtheintegratedfacilityhasrealcost
implicationssomustbeavoided.
Potentialproblemsfromtheinventor'sbitumen:
o Processaidsusedintheinventor'sprocesscouldaffectextractionand/orupgrading.
o Productioncontinuityisunknown.Theproject'sidledfacilitiesmustbekeptonstandby
toreplaceanyshortfallinproductionfromtheinventor'sfacility.
o Recoveredbitumencouldbeoxidizedandnotsuitableforupgrading.
o Recoveredbitumencouldcontainsolidsthatwillhavetoberemovedbeforethe
bitumencanbeupgraded.
Theoperatorwillprobablyreprocesstheinventor'sbitumenthroughhisextractionplantto
ensurethatitissuitableforupgrading.
Undertheabovecircumstancesthevalueofnewbitumentothedeveloperisprobably$10per
barrelatthemost.Theinventorhasaninflatedopinionofthevalueofhisbitumen.
Itisdifficultforanoperatortoworkwithaninflexiblelicensedtechnology.Itwouldbebetterif
theprojectownedthetechnologyoutrightsoitcouldbechangedandintegratedwithother
plantcomponents.
Underthecircumstancesthereislittleroomforanagreementhere.
Thepartiescanhelponeanotherbut...
B.14.8EffectivenessofOilSandsResearchPrograms.
Alotofoilsandresearchisongoingattheuniversities,governmentresearchfacilitiesandat
projectfacilities.OperatorshavetestedthemaintechnologiestodensifyMFTinfieldpilots.
Researcheffectivenessisirrelevantifindustryrefusestoimproveitspractice.Sofar,theresultsof
researchtodensitytailingsareontheshelfandtheinventoryoffluidtailingsgrows.Asoneoilsand
practitionerstatedwhenaskedaboutthefluidtailingschallenge:"Weknowwhattodo.Whatwelackis
managementpreparedtospendmoney".
Assumingthatfluidtailingswillbeaddressedinthenearfuture,itisrelevanttoappraisethe
effectivenessofR&Dprograms.Intheauthor'sopinion:
Researchanddevelopmentprogramssufferfromalackofcleargoals,(seeTableB.18)"
Economicassessmentsoffutureoptionsshouldnotdiscountthefutureandremovethevery
topicunderinvestigation.Theyshouldrecognizeliabilitiesbyassumingthatfundsof
equivalentvalueareplacedinaqualifyingenvironmentaltrustatthetimetheliabilityis
created.Propereconomicassessmentsareneededtoguideresearchneeds.
Excellentresearchhasprobablybeendone.Unfortunately,resultsarenotavailabletothe
public.
Theindustryneedspublicsupportforitsactivities.Informationaboutreclamationandclosure
plans,andtechnologiesthattheplansrelyonshouldbedocumentedinpublic,peerreviewed
technicaljournals.
Researchisnoteffectiveifthereisnopublicinformationontechnologiesthatarekeytothe
successofcurrentclosureplans.Examplesofmissinginformation:
o
OperatingexperiencewithCTtechnology.ItwasshockingtolearnthatSuncorwasonly
achieving20%ofplannedCTproductionafter10yearsofcommercialuse.(Houlihanet.al.,
2008).
Permanentstorageoffluidtailingsunderawatercapisakeypartofindustry'splans.
Siteselectionstandardsassumedforpermanentsurfacestorageofcontaminated
materials.
Addressandresolveissuesassociatedwithgasreleasefromfluidtailings.
Severaldecadestoqualifyforareclamationcertificatementionedinthelatest
paperonthisoption(ClearwaterConsultants,2007)appearsunacceptablylongand
raisesquestionsabouthowclosureactivitieswillbefundedforseveraldecades
afterincomestops.
Theindustryisclosedtooutsideinfluence.Thatisunfortunatebecauseitraisesconcerns
aboutthepotentialfortoomuchcontrol.Internalpracticesthatareamateurand
inappropriateexistbecausestafflackexposure.(seeSectionB.A4.8.3inAppendixB.4on
misleadinggrainsizemeasurements).
Theindustryisnotmakingeffectiveuseofthirdpartyresearch.Theyshould.Developmentof
anindependentbodythatcansupportprojectsintimeofneedcouldbeveryuseful.
B.15SummaryandConclusions
Keyfindings:
B.15.1ABOUTPROJECTSANDPRACTICE
Oilsandprojectsarebigandbecomingbigger.Threeofthefourexistingcommercialmineable
oilsandprojectsareevolvinginto100year,500,000kbarrelsperdayprojects
Productionofeachbarrelofsyntheticoilcreates0.26cubicmetresoffluidtailings.
Fluidtailingshasbeenaccumulatingsincecommercialproductionstarted.Todaytheinventory
is750millioncubicmetres.
Todatenotailingspondhasbeenreclaimed.
B.15.2ERCBDIRECTIVE074
InFebruary2009theERCBissuedDirective074.Itrequiresoilsandoperatorstobegin
solidifyingfinetailings.Theamounttobetreatedrisesfrom20%to50%overthenextthree
years.Thetargetstrengthisaminimumof5kPainthefirstyearandaminimumof10kPaby
yearthree.
Directive074alsorequiresoperatorstoinventorytheirtailingspondseachyearandreporttheir
observationsannually.
B.15.3ABOUTTHESOILPARTICLES
Tailingsarecomposedofsand,siltandclay.SoilpropertiesaredescribedinAppendix4.Sandandsilt
areinert,equidimensional,coarseparticleswithfrictionalstrength.Claysareveryfinegrainedplaty
particlesthatinteractwiththesurroundingwaterandions,exhibitplasticity,andcohesivestrength.
AboutFinesandClay
Finesareparticlesfinerthan44microns.Claysareparticlesfinerthan2microns.Theclaycontentof
finescanrangefrom0%to100%.Operatorsinextractiondealwithfinesanddonotmeasuretheclay
content.ThatisunfortunatebecauseitisdifficulttoforecastMFTvolumeswithouttheclaycontent.
B.15.4BUILDINGTAILINGSDEPOSITS
Whentailingsaredischargedtheyformasandpile.Sandiscapturedinconstructioncellsorallowedto
overboardontoadjacentbeaches.Sandforms75%ofthewastedepositandhaspredictableproperties.
DispositionofFines
Waterandsuspendedfinesarecapturedinsandvoids.Materialsurplustothoseneedsoverflowsinto
thetailingspond.Inthepondfinesslowlysettleintodenseranddensermaterial.Finallyat30%by
weightsolids,repulsiveforcesbetweenparticlespreventcloserapproachanddensificationstops.This
weakmaterialiscalledmaturefietailsorMFT.
Finesthatarecapturedinsandvoidsarenotavailabletomakefluidtailingsinthepond.Onlyonethird
ofthefinesmakeMFT.Therestarecapturedinsandvoidsoractasinertsiltthatoccupieslittlespace.
Clay,withitscomplexinteractingforcefieldsistheprimarycauseoffluidtailings.
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Dispositionofwaterandbitumen
Inthepond,finessettleoutleavingclarifiedwater.WatersurplustoMFTneedsisrecycledtotheplant.
Bitumentendstofollowthewater,somostofitaccumulatesinthepond.
B.15.5HOWTOLIMITFLUIDTAILINGS
Ifthedensityofthetailingsdischargefromextractionisincreased:
therewillbelessheatlossduetolessdischargedhotwater.
Therewillalsobemorefinescapturedinthesand.
TherewillbelessfinestomakeMFTinthepond.
B.15.6PROPERTIESOFFLUIDTAILINGS
Volumerelationships
Thesolidsformaveryweaksoilstructureandtendtoholdthatstructureanddensity.
Fluidtailingsare6partsbyvolumewaterandonepartsolidmaterial.
Solidifiedfinegrainedtailingshasabout1.5volumesofwaterperunitofsolidmaterial.
Densificationrequiresremovalofalotofwaterandshrinkagetoonethirdoftheoriginal
volume.
Strength
TheundrainedshearstrengthofMFTisabout5pascals.
Thelimitingstrengthforpumpstotransportslurriesisabout100pascals.
Thetargetstrengthforsolidreclaimedtailingsisaminimumof10kPa.
Strengthindicators
Atterberglimitsareindicatorsofundrainedshearstrength
(Liquidlimit=1.7kPa,PlasticLimit=170kPa)
Forsand/finesratiosbelowtwo,thesolidcontentthatrelatestostrengthis(weightof
clay/weightofwater).Additionofsandaddstovolumeanddensitybutnottostrength.
Chemicaltreatmentthatcausesawaterrelease(e.g.addingacoagulant)reducesthe
equilibriumwatercontent,LiquidLimit,andrelationshipsbetweensolidcontentandstrength.
Thischangeshouldbeappreciatedbythoseplanningchemicaltreatment.
Zerowaterdischargepolicy
Oilsandprojectsoperateunderazerowaterdischargepolicy.Allprocessaffectedwatermustbe
retained.ThatpolicyinhibitsplansforMFTdensificationbecausewaterremovedcannotbedischarged.
B.15.7DIRECTMETHODSFORDENSIFYINGFLUIDTAILINGS
Directmechanicalmethods,listedinorderofincreasingdensitycapabilityincludethickeners.
filterbelts,centrifuges,filterpressesandbruteforceheating.Mechanicalprocessescan
approachthedensityrequiredforreclamationbutwillprobablyrequireassistancetoachieve
thetargetstrengthforreclamation.
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Naturalprocessesinclude:consolidation,drying,hydroponics,freeze/thaw,andblendingwith
dryswellingclay.Consolidationisnaturalselfweightdensification.Tailingsdepositsarenot
configuredtouseconsolidationtoadvantage.Theotherprocessesexertveryhighloadsonthe
soilsoarecapableofsignificantdensification.Theunderlinedprocessesinvolvesurfaceeffects
sorequireworkinthinlifts.Theswellingclaycanworkinthicklayers.
Thereisnosingle,silverbullettocurefluidtailings.Itwillprobablyrequireopportuneuseofa
numberofprocessesworkingintheirbestrange.
B.15.8PASTEandMIXEDSOILCASESCTProcess
CTprocessinginvolvestreatingMFTwithacoagulant,and3to6partssand.Thenon
segregatingmixcanbepumpedtodisposalwhereitreleasessurpluswater.Intime(several
years)thefinesconsolidateandthemixdevelopsstrength.Theinitialvolumepercubicmetre
ofMFTtreatedisabout2.2cubicmetresforfreshCTand1.2cubicmetresforconsolidatedCT.
InitiallytheplanwastosolidifyMFTwiththeCTprocesswhichhasbeenincommercialuseat
SyncrudeandSuncorforover10years.
ChallengeswithCT:
ThereisinsufficientsandtotreatallMFTwiththeCTprocess.Anothertechnologywillbe
requiredtoprocesstherestoftheMFT.
CTisafluidsorequirescontainmentforseveralyears.
OperatorsarehavingdifficultyproducingonspecCTinquantity.
Thereissomeconcernthattheprocessmaynotbepermanent.
Substitutionoforeforsandindykebuilding.
TomaximizesandavailabilityforCTprocessing,someoperatorsproposetobuilddykesof
overburden.Thatcouldbecounterproductive.
Overburdendykesrequireadifferentdesignandconstructionissignificantlymoreexpensive
thanitiswithsand.
Withoutsandvoidstocapturefines,thefinesavailabletomakeMFTwillincreaseby30+%
B.15.9STORINGMFTUNDERAWATERCAP
SyncrudeproposedtostoreMFTbelowawatercapin1992.Theyarepreparingforthetest
now.Twoconcerns:
o biogenicgasreleasecouldmixMFTwiththeoverlyingwatercap.
o Siteselectioncriteriaforpermanentlystoringcontaminatedwasteonsurfacehavenot
beensharedwiththepublic.
B.15.10ECONOMICSCREENINGOFPROJECTOPTIONS
Oilsandprojectshavealifeof100years.Thetimebetweendisturbanceandrepaircanbe30+
years.
Thetraditionalapproachtoeconomicevaluationusesdiscountanalysisofcashflowrelatedto
thetopicunderstudy.Whenappliedtothelongtimeframeofoilsandprojectsthefuture
liabilitiesarediscountedsubstantially.Thatremovesthekeyactionthatisunderstudysothe
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resultisverymisleading.Traditionalassessmentfavours:deferredreclamation,accumulating
tailings,addingtoriskofseepageandcatastrophicfailure,andintergenerationaltransferof
reclamationliabilities.Asidefromearlyprofits,thecasespreferredbythisapproachdonot
makesense.
Economicanalysisthatrecognizesreclamationliabilitiesastheyarecreatedbyplacingfundsof
equivalentvalueinaqualifyingenvironmentaltrustretainstheliability.Thisapproachfavours
progressivereclamation,limitingstoredtailings,limitingrisk,andthereisnointergenerational
transferofliabilities.Casespreferredbythisapproachdomakesense.
B.15.11FISCALTERMS
Oilsandprojectsarehighlytaxed.Afterpayout,fiscalsharingmeansthatthedeveloperretains45%to
56%ofprofitandpays45%to56%ofexpenses.Governmentsreceive/paytherest.
Considerationoffiscalsharingisanimportantpartofplanningoilsandoperations.
Publicdisclosure
Publicdataaboutreclamationandclosureplans,contingencies,andthetechnologythattheplansrely
onislimited.ThatiscontrarytoanunderlyingprincipleoftheAlbertaenvironmentalprotectionand
enhancementactthatinvitesAlbertanstoinputonenvironmentalmatters.Similarly,thereislittleorno
dataontheperformanceoftheCTprocessthathasbeenincommercialuseforover10years.
B.15.12RESEARCHANDDEVELOPMENT
Considerableresearchisunderwayatuniversitiesandontheprojectsites.Largescalepilottestshave
beenperformedonthemaintechnologiesthatcouldbeusedtodensifyfluidtailings.Researchresults
arenotavailabletothepublic.Resultsarenotbeingusedbecausethevolumeoffluidtailingscontinues
toaccumulate.
Researchgoals
Theauthorisnotawareofspecificgoalsforoil,sandresearch.GoalslistedinTableB.18wouldprovide
focusandpreventsomeofthemissedopportunities.
Useofthirdpartytechnology
Oilsandprojectsarenotmakinggooduseoftechnologydevelopedbyindependents.Thereare
processesthatwarrantaclosereview.
B.15.13INSULARCHARACTER
Theoilsandbusinessisquiteinsular.Inthatenvironmentthereisalwaysadangerofhavinga
controllingmanagementdevelopthatworkstocorporateadvantage(e.g.profitnow,paylater)and
thatisnotawareofwhenpracticeissubstandard(e.g.impropergrainsizemeasurement).Thebusiness
wouldbenefitfromexposure.
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B.16Closure
B.16Closure
Thisisanoverviewreportabouttailings.
Theintentistoacquaintthereaderwiththehistory,theissues,andwhatliesaheadforoilsandtailings.
Icoachpeopleonhowtowritetechnicalreports.Twentypagesoftextisacomfortablelength.This
reportis66pageslong.Idonotapologizeforthelengthofthereport.Thetailingsstoryisabroad
subjectthatinvolvesmanydisciplinesandprofessions.Solutionsarenotsimple,technicalapplications.
Theyaremultidisciplinary,andcomplex.
Thefirstchallengetosolvingthetailingschallengeistorecognizehowwemustapproacheconomic
analysistoguidemanagementandplanningdecisions.Traditionaleconomicanalysisthatdiscounts
expendituresoverlongerperiodsthanmostinterestratetablescover,doesnotmakesense.
Discountingoverlongperiodsdevaluesandtrivializestheverysubject,weareanalysing.Analysisthat
recognizesreclamationliabilitiesastheyarecreateddoesmakesense.Itretainsthefocusonclosure
andguidesustodowhatwemustdo.
Thesecondchallengeistofindtherightpathtotimelyclosure.Thatwillberelativelyeasyoncewe
correctthefirstchallenge.
Wecanlookforwardtoexcitingchangesaheadinoilsandtailingspractice.
Ihopethatthisreportwillhelpusmaketherightchoices.
Respectfullysubmitted
DavidDevennyPhDPEngPGeol
PastPresidentoftheCanadianGeotechnicalSociety
PastPresidentoftheAssociationofProfessionalEngineers,Geologists,andGeophysicists,ofAlberta.
FellowoftheEngineeringInstituteofCanada
FellowofEngineersCanada
FellowoftheCanadianAcademyofEngineering
TheRockDoctorB.16ClosurePage66
AppendixB.2TheDrytailsCase
TableofContents
#
B.2.1
B.2.2
B.2.3
B.2.4
B.2.5
B.2.6
B.2.7
B.2.8
B.2.9
B.2.10
B.2.11
B.2.12
B.2.13
B.2.14
Title
IntroductiontoDryTails
GoalsoftheStudy
TheDrytailsCaseconcepts,layoutandprocesssteps
HowDrySwellingClayextractswaterfromMFT
Planningguideandassumptions
Equipmentlists
Capitalandoperatingcosts
Relocationcosts
CashFlow
Economicassessment
Conclusions
Nextsteps
Programtoprecedeafullscalecentrifugetest
Fullscalecentrifugedemonstrationprogram
ListofTables
Table#
TableB.2.1
TableB.2.2
TableB.2.3
TableB.2.4
TableB.2.5
TableB.2.6
TableB.2.7
TableB.2.8
TableB.2.9
TableB.2.10
TableB.2.11
TableB.2.12
TableB.2.13
TableB.2.14
TableB.2.15
TableB.2.16
TableB.2.17
Figure#
A.15
A.16
B.2.1
A.17
Title
DetailedstepsintheDryTailsCase
Soilplanningassumptions
Designparameters
Equipmentlistforpumpingstations
Equipmentlistforthedredgefacility
Equipmentlistforthecentrifugeplant
EquipmentlistfortheClearwatermine
Equipmentlistfortheblendedwasteconveyor
Equipmentlistforinfrastructureandoffsites
Capitalcosts
Overalloperatingcosts
Operatingcostsallocatedtoprojectcomponents
Relocationcosts
Cashflowvs.time
Unitcosts
Clearwaterevaluationtests
Costestimateforthefullscalecentrifugedemonstration
ListofFigures
FigureTitle
DryTailsCasesiteplan
DryTailsCaseprocessflowsheet
DryTailsPlantClearwatermine
DryclayrequiredtodewaterMFT
Page
1
Page
Page
The Rock DoctorAppendixB.2DryTailsCase
Pagei
Appendix2TheDryTailsCase
B.2.1IntroductiontoDrytails
ThissectionprovidesasummarydescriptionoftheDryTailsCase.ThefullreportwaspreparedbyBrian
RaymondPEng.TheDryTailsPrefeasibilityStudy,2009.)
TheDryTailsCasewasaddedtothestudiesoftailingstechnologiestoprovideonecasethathadahigh
probabilityofsuccessfullyconvertingfluidtailingstoasolidsuitableforreclamation.
Solidificationbycentrifugingmayfallshortofthetargetneededtocreateastrongsolid.Thisstudy
addeddryswellingclaytoremovethatlastbitofwater.Otherfinishingapproachessuchasnatural
dryingandfreeze/thawtreatmentarealsobeingexploredbyothers.
ThisreportcontainsthefollowingsectionstodescribetheDryTailsCase.
Goals
Plan,layout,steps
HowdryswellingclayextractswaterfromMFT
Planningguideandassumptions
Equipmentlists
Capitalandoperatingsteps
Cashflowvstime
Economicassessment
Conclusions
Nextsteps
Programtoprecedeafullscalecentrifugetest
Fullscalecentrifugetestprogram
ProjectdetailsarealsosummarizedinsectionA.4.6ofReportA.Detailedworkplans,materialbalances,
costvs.timeandderivationofunitcostsareprovidedontheelectronicworksheetinAppendixB.1.
B.2.2Goalsofthestudy
Goalsofthestudyincluded:
1. Designasystemtoconvertfluidtailingstoasolidstatesuitableforreclamation.
2. Identifyequipmentneeded,requirements,capacities,supportrequired(e.g.power),manpower.
Thenderivecapitalandoperatingcostssoeconomicevaluationscanbemade.Thelevelof
accuracyiscompatiblewithaprefeasibilitystudy.
3. Documentthedesign
4. Recommendnextsteps.
The Rock DoctorAppendixB.2TheDryTailsCase
Page1
B.2.3TheDryTailsCaseconcepts,layoutandprocesssteps.
ThebasicplaninvolvesdredgingMFTthatisthencentrifuged.Dryswellingclayisthenaddedto
reducethewatercontenttotargetlevelsandtheblendedwasteisconveyedtoadisposalsite.
FigureA.15showsthesitelayout.FigureA.16showstheprocessflowsheet.
FigureA.15DryTailsCase SitePlan
DryClay
Mine
Hopper
Crusher
CentrifugePlant
MFTReclaim
Dredge
MFT
Surge/
thickener
Tonextpond
MatureTailingsPond
Reclaim
Water
Reclaim
Barge
FigureA.16DryTailsCase Flowsheet
MFT
Thickener
/Surge
MFT
Centriguge
Clay
ToSolidDisposalSite
DRYClay
Mine
Page2
DetailedstepsaredescribedinTableB.2.1
TableB.2.1DetailedstepsintheDryTailsCase
1.BuildarobustdredgetoreclaimMFTfromanexistingdeposit.
2.Decantthewateroffthetopofthepondandtransportittoanotherpond.
3.DredgetheMFTandpumpittotheprocessingfacilityonland.
4.Onland,MFTisplacedinoneoftwothickeners.ThethickenerscanbeusedtodensifyanyMFT
dilutedintransit.Theyalsoactasasurgefacilityaheadofthecentrifuges.
5.CentrifugetheMFTusingthelargestcentrifugesavailable.Densitiesofabout60%canprobably
beachievedonasustainablebasis.70%isprobablyneededtoachievethestrengthtargetof10
kPa.
6.BlenddryswellingclaywiththecentrifugecakeinaccordancewithFigureA.15toremovethe
targetedamountofwaterfromthecake.Whendryswellingclayisaddedtothecake,water
transferwilloccuruntilanequilibriumstateisreachedbetweenthetwomaterials.Thedry
swellingclayisobtainedfromanadjacentpitandconveyedtothecentrifugefacility.
7.Conveytheblendedcakeandclaytoadisposalsite.Thereitwillbespreadoveralargearea
usingstackingconveyors.
8.Thestudyincluded4kilometresofconveyortotransportdryswellingclaytothecentrifuge
processingsiteand4kilometresofconveyorstotransporttheblendedproducttothedisposal
site.
9.Itisassumedthattheplantwillhavetobemovedaboutevery10years.
WaterisremovedfromthepondsurfacetopreventdilutionasthedredgeminesMFT.
Thedredgehasaroadheadertypecuttercapableofchewingthroughbitumenmats
andothersurprisesinthetailingspond.Thespecialcutterisprovidedaiduninterruptedproduction.
Three6,000mpipelinesareusedtotransfersurfacewaterfromthepondtoanadjacentpond,MFT
fromthedredgetotheplant,andreturnwaterrecoveredfromthecentrifugestothewatertransfer
site.
TwothickenersreceiveMFTattheplant.Theyactasasurgereceivingsystem.IftheMFTisdiluteditwill
bedensifiedbythethickenerbeforeitisfedtothecentrifuges.
15oftheworldslargestcentrifugesprocesstheMFT.Sparingcapacityassuresadequateonline
processingcapacity.
TheClearwatermineincludesaminingsystem,ahoppertoreceiveClayoreanda4kmlongconveyor
tomovetheproducttothecentrifugeplant.FigureB.2.1illustratesactivityattheminesite
Page3
FigureB.2.1DryTailingsPlant ClearwaterMine
400TonTrucks
992FrontEndLoader
ROM
Stockpile
800T
Bin
Magnet
84Stamler
FeederBreaker
2000MTPH
3000m
ROM
HOPPER
Overburden
Conveyor#1
3000 HP
DryProductConveyor#2
4000mx3000MTPH
AtthePlanttheClearwaterblendisaddedtocentrifugecakeandthenconveyed4km.tothedisposal
site.
Atthedisposalsitestackingconveyorsallowplacementin15mthicklifts.Twostackingconveyorsadd
toonlinecapacity.Initiallythedisposalsitewillhavetobeplacedonawastedump.Lateritcanbe
movedtothedepletedtailingspond.
Thesystemisdesignedtobemovedtoanewsiteeverytenyearsorso.Productionishaltedforayear
whilethefacilityismovedtoanewsite.
B.2.4Howdryswellingclayextractswaterfromcentrifugecake.
Somedefinitionspertinenttothisdiscussion:
Extractorsoilthatwillremovewaterfromadonorsoil.
Donorsoilthatwillyieldwatertotheextractor.
Waterretainingpotentialabilityofasoiltoretainwater.
Waterextractionpotentialabilityofasoiltoextractwaterfromanothersoil
Swellingpotentialpotentialofasoiltoattractwaterandincreasevolumewhiledoingso..
OthertermsaredefinedinAppendixB.3.
Page4
Anextractorsoilhasawaterdeficiency.Itseekswatertoovercomethedeficiency.Theideal
extractorhasahighclayactivity,ahighextractionpotential,alowexistingwatercontent,andalow
liquidityindex.
Theidealdonorsoilhasoppositecharacteristicsalowclayactivity,alowwaterretainingpotential,a
highwatercontent,andahighliquidityindex.
Whenthetwosoilsaremixedtheextractorwillattempttoremovewaterfromthedonorsoil.The
donorsoilwillresistwaterremoval.Waterwillflowfromthedonortotheextractoriftheextraction
potentialexceedsthewaterretainingpotentialofthedonor.Eventuallyastateofequilibriumwillbe
reached.Atequilibriumtheoverallsoilwillstillhaveasolidconsistencywithmorewaterinthe
extractorcomponent,andlesswaterinthedonorcomponent.
DryswellingclayexistsintheClearwaterFormationthatsurroundsthemineableoilsandarea.(Figure
B.8inSection5,ReportB).SyncrudestudiesrevealthatClearwaterclayshavesuitableextractor
capabilities(Lordet.al.,1989).Incontrastcentrifugecakewithitsrelativelyhighwatercontentisan
idealdonor..
Thewaterextractingcapabilityisexpressedinunitsoftonnesofwaterpertonneofextractorsoil.
FigureA.17assumedthattheClearwaterclayhasawaterextractingcapabilityof0.15cubicmetresof
waterpertonneofextractorsoil.FigureA.17suggeststhattheadditionof0.3tonnesofextractorclay
pertonneofcakewillincreasethecakesolidcontentfrom60%to70%.
FigureA.17DryclayrequiredtodewaterMFT
70%
DryClayAdditionRequired
60%
Solidcontentof
centrifugecake
50%
40%
30%
Solid
content
attarget
strength
Claytobe
addedto
achievedesired
solidcontent
20%
10%
0%
50%
55%
60%
65%
70%
75%
Weight%SolidsofWaste
Page5
B.2.5Planningguideandassumptions
SoilplanningassumptionsareparametersaredescribedinTableB.2.2
TableB.2.2Soilplanningassumptions
Component
Targetstrengthorsolidcontent
Minimumstrengthforsolidwastedisposal
10kPaundrainedshearstrength
Correspondingsolidcontentofwaste
70%(weightclay/weightofclay+water)
MFTdensity
30%solids
Densitychangeduetocentrifuge
30%to60%
Densitychangeduetodryclay
60%to70%
DesignparametersaresummarizedinTableB.2.4
TableB.2.3Designparameters
Component
Design
MFTprocesscapacity
17.48millionm3peryear
MFTsolidsconvertedtocake
95%
Onlinetime
85%
B.2.6EquipmentLists
Thissectionpresentsequipmentliststypeandsizeofequipmentplannedforeachprojectcomponent.
TableB.2.4Equipmentlistforeachrelocatablepumpingstation(threerequired)
WarmanPumps
18/20SlurryPumps(Warman),
1500HP
GlandWaterSystem
lot
100HP
ReceivingTank
10x20cwrupturedisc
MurrayLottaValves
35HP
BridgeCrane
1 25T/5T40span
Pipelines
6,000moftiemountedpipeline,20
Page6
TableB.2.5Equipmentlistforthedredgefacility
Derrick(enclosed)
Hull
Hoists
BitumenPineappleCutter
HydraulicPumps
HydraulicPumps
VerticalSlurryPump
BridgeCranes
Misc
Hoists&Monorails
HVAC
PontoonBridge
1
1
3
1
2
3
1
2
lot
1
similartooilrigforhaulingpipeandliftinghydraulichoses
2700T Displacement,
Pontoonchamberswhichcanbepumpedout
50T/35T/20Tcwhydraulichangers&pipeclamps
cwHydraulicDrive,100HP
7,000USgpm,submersible,250HP
cwTanks
20,1000HP,Hazeltonorequal
15T/10Ttwohoistsperbridge
trashscreens,glandwatersystem,etc
10Tabovederrickhoists
1000Mayneedalotmore
TableB.2.6EquipmentlistfortheMFTtreatmentplant
Screens
SieveBendScreens
DischargeConveyor&Stockpile
Thickeners
ThickenerRoofStructures
ThickenerUFPumps&CWPumps
Centrifuges
CentratePump
CentrateTank
ClearH2OPump
GlandH2OSystem&Tank
CleanupPump
Hoists&Monorails
BridgeCranes
FireProtection
Electrical(inplantonly)
Controls (seecontrolroom)
Instrumentation
HVAC
4
4
2
2
4
15
1
1
1
lot
1
8
2
lot
lot
10x24lowheadvibrating(ACorEqual)
10wide
notsized
210,2,500,000ft.lb.TorqueRakes
notsized,about6500USgpm
AndritzBird,55x220,800HP
18/20,500HP
20,000bbl,insulatedonconcretepad
18/20,1200HP
notsized
16vertical+4waterinjector
10T
20T/5T
1500USgpm,+JockeyPumpconnectedtocentratetank
15,650HP
lot
180Loops
4millionBTU/hr
Page7
TableB.2.7EquipmentlistfortheClearwatermine
Description
Number
Size/Capacity
ofUnitReq'd
Information
Sizers
1
84StamlerFeederBreaker
Hoppers
1
800Tonnesingledumpcapability,50x40
Compressor
1
NotSized
3
Foundation
lot
850M concrete
Tunnel
1
100mcspsuperpipe
SumpPump
1
4slurry
Table2.3.1(cont.)
Hoist
1
notsized
HydraulicRamPlows
2
cwhydraulicpump
TrampIronMagnet
1
EriezD875,6kw
ClearwaterConveyor
1
60"x3000m,4.8mps,2000mtph
BeltScale
1
60
MoistureAnalyser
1
GammaMetrics
TableB.2.8Equipmentlistfortheblendedwasteconveyorsystem
DryProductsConveyor 1
60"x4000m,4.8mps,3000mtph
BeltScale
1
60
MoistureAnalyser
1
GammaMetrics
StackerFeedConveyors 2
60"x3000m,4.8mps,3000mtph
TripperCars 2
Stackers
2 60x62m,luffingandslewing,
trackmounted,3000mtph
600HP
50HP
10HP
10HP
25HP
3000HP
6,000HP
4,500HP
25HP
200HP
TableB.2.9Equipmentlistforinfrastructureandoffsites
ControlRoom3controlroomsoneeachatthedredge,theplantandmine
GlandWaterDistributionforpipelines
PotableWaterforpersonnelandforsiteuse
NaturalGassupply
PowerLinesforelectricalsupply
ElectricalSubstationstieintoexternalpower
EmergencyElectricPower,CommunicationSystems&YardLighting
Laboratoryforallfacilities
Camp
Page8
B.2.7Capitalandoperatingcosts
Estimatesarein2009dollars.
CostsassumeaCanadaUSexchangerateof$1Canadian=$0.80US.
TableB.2.10Capitalcosts
PlantInstalled
Horsepower $K
Dredge
1800
24,639
(3)PumpStations
14620
27,633
(3)6000mPipelines(20)
52,128
DryTailingsPlant
15650 206,023
ROMDumpPocket,OBConv,&FEL
700
34,195
StackingOutSystem
18450 146,150
Infrstructure
23,874
ControlRoom
12,000
TOTAL
51,220526,642
TableB.2.11Overalloperatingcosts
$k
Suppliesandwages
11,755
Materials&supplies
19,708
NaturalGas(plantheatingonly)
204
ElectricPower
11,018
Chemicals
3,785
SustainingCapitalProjects
1,500
Rental&Leases
150
Travel&Training
150
AllocatedShopCosts
1,750
MobileEquipment

2,940
Administration
1,763
Other
600
TotalOperatingCosts
$55,323K
$/m3
$0.67
$1.13
$0.01
$0.63
$0.22
$0.09
$0.01
$0.01
$0.10
$0.17
$0.10
$0.03
$3.16
Page9
TableB.2.12Operatingcostsallocatedtoprojectcomponents
MineMFT
Pumpsandpipelines
MFTdewateringfacility
Clearwatermine
Clearwaterconveyor
Stackingoutfacility
Totaloperatingcosts
$k
6,638
7,414
16,652
4,981
4,910
14,728
$/m3
$0.38
$0.42
$0.95
$0.28
$0.28
$0.84
$55,323k
$3.16
B.2.8Relocationcosts
TheMFTsourceisassumedtohavealifeof10years.Thenthetreatmentfacilitieswillhavetobe
movedtoanewlocation.
TheestimatedcostofmovingtreatmentfacilitiestoanewlocationaresummarizedonTableB.2.13
TableB.2.13Relocationcosts
Dredge
PumpStations(3)
$4,000+$800ProjectManagement
$4,800
$300
Pipelines(3)x6000m $6,480GeneralEarthworks,+$10,630
DryTailingsPlant
$17,110
StackingOutSystem
GeneralEarthworks
$3,056
Foundations
$3,718
Dismantling&Construction
$25,000
ContractorsSupervisionO&H $30,000
$38,000SitePrep+$14,000Relocation
ROMHopper
$7,500+OBConv&SitePrep$7,500
$15,000
ControlRoom
$5,000
Infrastructure
$15,000
TotalCost
$170,984
$61,774
$52,000
Page10
B.2.9CashFlow
TableB.2.14summarizescostvs.timeforDryTailsCase.
TableB.2.14Cashflowvs.timeforsolidifyingMFT
Year
CapitalCost(k)
OperatingCost
1Engineering
55,000
550
2Construction
200,000
550
3Construction&Startup
271,642
9,500
4/13Operate
55,323
15Relocate
170,984
13,000
55,323
16/25Operate(cyclebeginsagain)
B.2.10Economicassessment
Appendix1.1containsavailableinformationonourassessmentoftheDryTailsOption.Thatincludes
activities,work,quantitiesprocessed,capitalandoperatingcostsvs.time.
SimpleunitcostsaresummarizedinTableB.2.15.Thetableshowssimpleaveragecostspercubicmetre
ofMFTandaverageunitcostperequivalentbarrelofsyntheticoil.Thenetpresentvalueunitcost,
discountedat10%is45%higher,becauseoftheimpactoffrontendcapital.
TableB.215UnitcostforsolidifyingMFTintheDryTailsFacility
Simpleaverageunitcost
NPV10Unitcost
$/m3MFT
$/bblSCOequivalent
$/m3MFT
$/bblSCOequivalent
$5.07
$1.19
$7.38
$1.73
Thefullprojecteconomicmodelthatrepresentsthefiscalenvironmentthatanoperatingoilsand
projectexperienceswasnotusedbecausetherewasnocompetingtechnologytocompare.
Page11
B.2.11Conclusions
TheappraisaloftheDryTailsCasewasacredibleevaluation.
TheappraisalsetsaneconomicstandardforsolidifyingMFT.Industryisinvitedtofindamorecost
effectiveonewithequivalentrisk.
Centrifugetreatmentappearspromisingandshouldbeinvestigatedfurther.
Thereisaneedtounderstandthecostofacommercialfacilitycapableofprocessinglargevolumesof
MFTtocreatesolidwastesuitableforreclamation.
Centrifugeprocessingappearstobethemostcapablemechanicalsystemavailable.Itmayfallshortof
thefinaldensityrequiredtoprovidethetargetstrength.However,optionsareavailabletoremovethe
finalbitofwater.Optionsincludedrying,freezethawtreatment,andblendingwithadryswelling
clay.
CentrifugetreatmentappearspromisingsotheDryTailsCaseshouldbeexploredfurther.
B.2.12Nextsteps
Centrifugeshavebeenusedextensivelyintreatingoilsandfroth.However,thereisnocommercial
experiencewithtreatingMFTtomakeareclaimablesolid.Pilotprogramshavebeenconducted(Fair,
2008),(Loganet.al,1984).Acommercialcentrifugefacilitywouldneedmanyoftheworldslargest
centrifuges.Thatrepresentsaconsiderableinvestment.
SmallcentrifugescanexertlargerGforcesthanlargecentrifuges.Consequently,itisdifficulttoscale
performanceobservedfromsmallpilotteststothelargeunitsthatwillbeneededtomanagethelarge
tonnagesrequiredinacommercialfacility.
Alargedemonstrationtestisneededtoproperlyevaluatethepotential;oflargecentrifugesandto
providedatafordesign.
SectionB.12.13describessmallresearchprogramsthatshouldbepartofpreparingforafullscale
demonstrationtest.SectionB.12.14suggestsaprogramforafullscalecentrifugedemonstrationtest.
B.2.13Programtoprecedeafullscalecentrifugepilot
Anevaluationofthepotentialforcentrifugetreatmenttosolidifyfluidtailingsatcommercialscale
requiresafullscaledemonstrationtest.Fulltestingisneededbecause:
Page12
Largecommercialsizedcentrifugesareneededtoachievethroughput.However,theydonot
exertasmanyG'sasthesmallerpilotcentrifuges,hencetheneedforafullscaletest.
Mechanicalperformance(equipmentonlinetime)andinternalerosionisbestevaluatedinthe
largescaledemonstrationtest.
Scaleupfrompilotsizedunitstocommercialsizedunitsisdifficult.
Thelogicalapproachtoevaluatecommercialviabilityinvolves:
1.Backgroundtests
2.Smallscalepilottests
3.Fullscaledemonstrationtest
Thissectiondescribessmallerexperimentsthatcanbeusedtoprepareforthelargescaletest.
Table B.2.16 Clearwater evaluations to precede a full scale centrifuge demonstration test
ClearwaterFormation
Geology
Verifythewaterremoval
potentialofClearwater
clay/shale
Characterizecentrifuge
cake
Characterofthe
Clearwater/cakeblend
Conclusions
StudythelocationandcharacteroftheClearwaterFormationso
suitabilityfordewateringcentrifugecakecanbeappraised.
Proximityofoutcropstotheoperatingsite
Characteroffaciespresentandtheirproperties.Profile:
oClaycontent
oWatercontent
oAtterberglimits
oLiquidityindex
Identifytheextentandavailabilityofblendmaterials
MeasurethewaterextractingpotentialoftheClearwater
Abilitytoextractwaterfromcentrifugecake
Tonesofblendvs.tonesofcakevs.watercontentchange
____desired
Sand,siltandclaycontent
Atterberglimits
Densityvs.strengthrelationship
FurtherdewateringdesiredbyaddingClearwaterclay/shale.
StrengthandindexpropertiesoftheClearwater/cakeblend
Fordifferentblendsdetermine
Governingproperties
Atterberglimits
Liquidityindex
Basicstrengthcharacteristics
Conclusionsonoverallfeasibilityofdewateringcakebyadding
Clearwaterclay/shale
Page13
B.2.14Fullscalecentrifugedemonstrationprogram
Thisdemonstrationtestwilldemonstratethecapabilityoftheworld'slargestcentrifuge(55"X220"
800HP)usingaunitnosmallerthan44"X132".
AnbargewillobtainMFTfromthetailingspondanddeliverittoathickener.Thethickenerwillbe
capableofdeliveringthickenerfeedtothecentrifugeatratesof400to1250USGPM.
Theprogramshouldbedevelopeddesigned,operatedandevaluatedinclosecooperationwith
centrifugemanufacturerswhohaveanincentivetomaketheprogramsucceed.
PhaseIProgram
Themainpurposeistoestablishthefollowing:
1.PropertiesoftheMFTtobeprocessed,
2.Developoperatingperformancecurvesforthecentrifugeincluding:
a.Feedrate,
b.Productcakequantityandpropertiesespeciallymoisturecontentoftheclay,
c.Centratequantityandpropertiesespeciallysolidscontent,
d.Particlesizedistributionofthefeed,cakeandcentrateandtheirassociatedpartition
curves.
3.GeotechnicalcharacteristicsofthecakeandafterblendingwithClearwaterclay/shaleif
needed.indexproperties,PSD,AtterbergLimits,liquidityindex,undrainedshearstrength.
4.Flocculenttestingdevelopcurvesforcakemoistureandrecoveryforvariousflowlevels.Both
anionicandcationicfloeagentswillbetested.
5.Determinethedegreeofdisaggregationanddispersionoffluidtailingsprocessed.
6.Determineparticlesizedistributionofthefeedmaterialusingvariousrepresentative
techniques.
7.Determinethestrengthoftheblendedcakerequiredtoappraisestackabilityandfor
foundationdesignofthestackers.
8.Hydrocarboncontentofthecentrifugestreamssohydrocarbonrecoverycanbeappraised.
TheestimateddurationofPhaseIprogramsisasfollows:
7daysPlantmodificationandstartup
7daysTestthebowlandscrolldifferentialspeed
30daysEstablishoperatingparametersforawiderangeoffeedrates,recoveriesetc.
30daysTestflowprogramtodetermineeffectonabove
30daysOptimizecentrifugeperformance
Page14
PhaseIIProgramProcessandWearTesting
Purposedemonstratethatthecentrifugeplantcanoperateonarelativelycontinuousbasisand
establishwearpatternswithinthemachinebeforecommercialunitsareordered.
1. Runcontinuouslyfor30dayswhilemonitoringchangesinalloperatingconditions.Getafeel
forhowthecommercialplantwillperform.
2.TestthesecondScrollfor14daysinordertooptimizethescrewdesign.
3.WeartestthebestScrollforanadditional30days.
4.Dismantleandphotographthefollowingtodeterminearmouringrequirementsforcommercial
machines:gearboxcomponents,pillowblockrollerbearing,thrustbearinghousing,shafts,
bushingsandseals,feedbox(andaccelerator),scrolls,bowl,portsandweirs.
5.Measurestrengthoftheblendedcakedeterminestackabilityoftheproductandbearing
capacityforstackerfoundations.
6. CharacterizepropertiesoftheMFTfeedtobeprocessedsolidcontent,particlesize
distribution,mineralogyandcharacteroftheclays(mineralogy,activity,cationexchange
capacity),characterofthemakeupwatersolublesaltsandvariationvs.time.
TableB.2.17Costestimateforthefullscalecentrifugedemonstrationtest
CapitalCostestimate($thousand)
Dredge(useexistingbarges)
(nocapitalcost)
SitePreparation
$500
2000mPipelines(12"sch40)
$4,600
DryTailingsPlant
Building&Installation(structural,piping,electrical,inst.) $8,000
Centrifuge(2scrolls)+parts
$2,375
Thickener&Tanks
$1,000
FloeSystems
$300
MiscEquipment(conv.,pumps,HVAC,etc.)
$2,000
Infrastructure
$1,000
MobileLab&officeTrailer
$1,000
ControlRoom
$1,000
TOTALCAPITALCOST$21,775
Operatingcostestimate($thousand)
Assumedailyoperatingcost
$30
Testduration
200days
TOTALOperatingCost$6,000
Page15
Appendix3Definitions
AccelerateddensificationtechniquestechniquesusedtoacceleratedensificationofMFTsuchas
drainageandexposure,drying,freeze/thawcycles.
AcceleratorfactoracceleratingconsolidationofMFTdrainagepathshortenedbybubblepathsfrom
bacterialactioninMFT
Airborneemissions(trucks)exhaustemissionsfromminetrucks
AlbertaEnvironmentalProtectionandEnhancementActprimaryactdefiningtheroleofAlberta
Environment
AlbianSandsmineableoilsandprojectoperatedbyShellandothers
Alluviumsoilofrecentagefoundinariverfloodplain
Angleofinternalfrictionstrengthpropertyofgranularmaterial,dependsonsurfacepropertiesand
densityofpackingofthesoilparticles
Approvalcabinetapprovaltoproceedwithaprojectgrantedatthehighestlevel
Aquifersubsurfacelayerthatconductswater
Assetvaluevalueofanasset(shouldconsiderenvironmentalliabilities)
Assimilativecapacityabilityofabodyofwatertoreceivecontaminantswithoutbecomingoverloaded
AuroraProjectSyncrudessatellitemineandextractionfacility
Backfillmaterialplacedtofillanexistingexcavation
Barrenreferstooilsandareasnotunderlainbymineableore
Baselevellocalerosionbasee.g.theAthabascaRiver
BaseProjectinitialoilsandprojectbeforeexpansions
Basement(geology)granitebaseunderlyingsedimentaryrockprofile
Basement(dropping)phenomenonwherethebasementwassubsidingwhileyoungerstratawere
beingdeposited
Beachsandyshoreofabodyofwater
Beach(tailings)sandyshoreofatailingspond
Beachabovewatertailingsbeachthatformsabovethepondlevelgenerallyrewashedbystream
Beachbelowwatertailingsbeachthatformsbelowthepondlevel.Generallylooser,trapsfines.
Bentoniteahighlyplasticclaymineral.FoundintheClearwaterformation.
BestAvailableEconomicTechnologyBAETwhatoilsandprojectsareexpectedtouse
BitumenViscoushydrocarbonfoundintheAlbertaoilsands
BitumontBasinbasin75kmnorthofFortMcMurraywheregeologicalprofilehasdropped100m
Bitumenrecovery%ofbitumeninorerecoveredbyminingandextraction
CapitalCostexpenditureonequipmentorconstructionnotanoperatingexpense
CapitalCostAllowanceCCAtreatmentofcapitalinvestmentforincometaxpurposes
CapitalCanadianDevelopmentExpenseCDEtreatmentofpredevelopmentcapitalforincometax
purposes.
CapitalizeexpendituresputpreproductionexpensesinaCDEcapitalpoolforincometaxpurposes
CanadianOilSandsTrustsymbolCOS.UNthelargestownerofSyncrude(36.74%)anenergytrust
Capcoveringmaterial,
Cardhousestructuredelicate,unstablestructureofclayparticlesinMFT
TheRockDoctorAppendix3page1
Centrifugearotatingdevicethatappliesmanytimestheforceofgravitytoitscontents.Abruteforce
methodofremovingwaterfromMFT.
Channelvalleyofawatercourse
Channelpreglacialabandonedchannelfilledwithgravelorothersoillocatedunderglacialdeposits
Clarifyremovesuspendedsolidsfromwater
Clayactivityrelativeactivityindicatedby(plasticityindex/%ofsolidmaterialthatisclay)
Claycalciumclayinwhichcalciumionsdominatetheporewater
Claycontentpercentofmineralmatterthatisclay
Clayshaleshalebedrockthathasclaylikeproperties
Claysizeparticleofaveragesizelessthan2microns
Claysodiumclayinwhichsodiumionsdominateintheporewater
Clay/waterratioratioofweightofclay/weightofwaterignoringweightofsandandsilt
Closuretheconditionwhentheprojectisfinallyreclaimed,theactoffinalreclamation
Closuregoalsastatementofwhatclosureisintendedtoaccomplishtimelyreclamationcertificate
Closureandreclamationplantomanagereclamationactivitiestoclosureatwhichtimetheprojectwill
qualifyforareclamationcertificate.
Closureplanclearlydefinedwelldefinedclosureplanthatstakeholderscanunderstand
Closurestagestageoftheprojectafteroperations
Collapsefeaturesgeologydisruptedbycollapseintocavernsandotherunderminingphenomena
Coagulantchemicaladditionthatcausesdispersedstructureinclaytocollapseduetointerparticle
forcesofattraction.
Cohesionstrengthinaclaydepositthatisindependentofnormalstress
Cokewasteproductfromupgradingmostlycarbon
Communicationfailurefailtocommunicatekeyprojectinformationtostakeholders
Compliancereportreportfromoperatorscertifyingthatworkisproceedingasdirected
Conditionoreprepareoreforextraction.Breakitdownintoindividualparticlesinaslurry.
Conditioningagentschemicalsusedtoconditionore
Conditions(attachedtopermits)conditionsthatregulatorsaddtopermitsandthatmustbefollowed
Continuity(ofclaydeposit)claysurroundsothersolidmaterialssodominatesstrength
Connatewaterformationwaterinore.Maybefromoriginaldeposit.
Consolidationnaturaldensificationofsoilthroughexpulsionofwaterinresponsetoasurfaceload
Containmentsupportprovidedtoadeposittooweaktosupportitself
Contingencyplanbackupplantobeusedifthebaseplandoesnotwork.
Conveyoramovingbeltusedtotransportsolidmaterial
CretaceousPeriodPeriodabout100millionyearsagowhentheMcMurrayFormationwasdeposited.
Crosssectionaviewofverticalsectionoftheearth.
Crusherlargesmasherusedtobreakoilsandoredownintosmallpieces
CTprocessProcessusedtosolidifyMFTbyaddingacoagulantandadding3to6partssand
CTproductiontargetsplannedlevelofproducingvolumesofCT,orachievinga%ofonlinetime
makingCT,orconvertingagivenquantityofMFTtoasolidCTmaterial.
CTtreatmentsolidifyingMFTinCT.
Cutface(mining)(mining)slopeorpitwall
Cutoffgrade(mining)oregrade(%bitumen)belowwhichminingisnoteconomical
Decommissioningremovinginfrastructureandreclaimingthesite
DeerCreekEnergynameunderwhichTotalisdevelopingtheJoclynoilsandproject
Deferralpostponeorputoff
Delugeflood
Demonstrateverify,showviability
Demonstrationtestlargescaletestusedtoverifyaprocess,developcostdata,developdesigndata
DepositionalEnvironmentgeologicalenvironmentinwhichasedimentarydepositformed.28such
environmentsarerecognizedintheMcMurrayFormation
Depressurize(mining)reducepressureingroundwaterneededtostabilizethebaseandwalls
Developerowneroroperatorofaproject
Development(site)undertakesiteimprovementssuchasinstalldrainage.
Dewaterremovegroundwatertodepressurizeformations.
Dilutionextractionusemorewaterinextractioncircuitstoimprovebitumenrecovery.
Dip(bedding)(geology)angleofinclinationofasedimentarylayer
Directiveorderfromaregulatorredesiredpractice
Disclosurerevealinformation
Discountdiminishcostorvalueduetotimefactor
Discountfactorpercentagediscountappliedperyear
Discretionaryexpenditureorspendingexpenditurethatmaybespentnoworatanothertime
Discretionaryincomeincomethatmaybespentonoperationorretainedasprofit
Dispersantchemicalthatcausesclayparticlestodisperseduetorepulsiveforcesbetweenparticles
Dispersed(asinclaystructure)particlesareseparatedbecauseofrepulsiveforcesbetweenthem
Dozerbulldozer
Drainage(asinconsolidation)releaseofexcessporefluidcausingadropinporewaterpressure
Drainagepath(asinconsolidation)distancewatermusttraveltoescapefromconsolidatingsoil
Drainagewickpermeablematerialinstalledtofacilitatedrainage
Duediligencethoroughchecktoensureconditionsareastheyshouldbe
Dyke(tailings)perimeterstructurethatsupportscontainedmaterial
Earlystageoperationsstageofprojectatstartofoperations
Economicassessmentappraiserelativemeritsonthebasisofeconomics
Effectivestress(soilmechanics)appliedstressminusoffsettingporewaterpressure
EnvironmentalImpactAssessmentappraiseimpactofplanneddevelopmentonnaturalconditionsand
howtomitigateadverseeffects
Endpitlakealakethatwillbeleftinthelastareatobeminedattheendofaproject.Itmaybeused
tocollectandcleanrunoffbeforedischarge,storeMFTinthebaseetc.
EnergyResourcesConservationBoardAlbertacrowncorporationresponsibleformanagingtechnical
aspectsofenergydevelopment.
Environmentalstandardsstandardstobemetinreclamation,stressorchemicalequilibrium.Ifabove
theequilibriumcontentdrainagewilltakeplace,ifbelowtheequilibrium,soilwillattractmorefluid.
Estuary(geology)mouthofariver,whereariverentersthesea,oftenafloodedchannel.
Expansionprogramsnewprojectsaddedtoabaseprojecttoexpandlifeorproduction
Expectations(ofreclamation)stakeholderexpectationsofperformanceinreclaimingasitestandards
tobeachieved,timing,shareinformationonwhatistobedone.
Expenseacostincurred,alsotreatasanexpense(fortaxpurposes)
Expertadvisoryboardpanelofexternalexpertswhoadviseprojectpersonnel.
Externaltailingspondpondconstructedonsurfaceanduseduntilthereisroomfortailingsinthe
minedoutarea.
Extractionoilsandsextractionfacility
Extractiondesignerengineerwhodesignsextractionfacilities
Extractionoperatorpersonwhooperatestheextractionfacility
Extractionefficiency%ofbitumeninorethatisrecoveredbytheextractionfacility.
Extractionprocessspecificconfigurationusedinanextractionfacility
Fault(geology)breakinbedrockonwhichmovementhasoccurred.
Filterbeltaperviousbeltusedtosuctionwaterfromsoilplacedonit.
Filterpressadeviceusedtocompresssoiltodrivewaterfromit
Filtrateliquidstreamafterfiltrationorcentrifugetreatment
Financialassuranceassurancegivenbyadeveloperthatfundswillbeavailabletoundertake
reclamationinthefuture.Assurancemaytaketheformofapromise,aguarantee,apostedbond,cash
oraQualifyingEnvironmentalTrust.
Financialreversalchangeinfinancialstatus,
Finegrainedsandsandofgrainsizeatthelowersizerangeforsand74uto200u
Finegrainedstream(extraction)streaminextractionthatprocessesfines
Fines(extraction)materialfinerthan44micronsize.Amountofsiltorclayunknown.
Finescapture(beach)finegrainedmaterialcapturedinvoidspaceinasandbeach.MFTmaterial
capturedinthebeachisnotavailabletomakeMFTinthetailingspond.
Fiscaloffsetmethodbywhichgovernmentsshareinreclamationexpenses
Fiscalregimeoverallsystemofroyaltyandtaxapplicabletooilsandsdevelopment
Fiscaltermsspecificroyaltyandtaxesapplied.
Flocculatingagentchemicalthatcausessoilparticlesinsuspensiontobeattractedtoeachother
FluidtailingsMFT,wetweaktailingsthathasfluidlikeproperties,requirescontainment.
Fluvialsand(geology)sanddepositedinariverchannelenvironment
Flywayrouteusedbymigratingbirds
Footprint(ofatypicaloilsandsplant)disturbedarearelatedtoanoilsandsproject
Forecastmodelpredictivemodelusedtoidentifyfuturebehavior,volumestorageneedsetc.
Foregoneprofitdiscretionarymoneyspentonoperationsinsteadoftakenasprofit.
Freeze/thawtreatment(geotechnical)systemusedtodensifysoil,freezingextractscleanwater,
Associatedsuctioncausesthesoiltocompress.Whenthesoilthawswaterisreleased.
Frictionanglepropertyofasoilwithfrictionalstrength.Itisrelatedtothesurfaceofsoilparticlesand
tothedensityofpackingofsoilparticles.
Frothflotationtechniqueusedtoextractbitumen.Smallbubblesareattractedtobitumencausingitto
separatefromwaterthathasthesamedensity.
Fugitiveemissionsairbornecontaminantssuchasmethaneandsolventlostfromtailingsponds.
Futuregeneration(asininheritingenvironmentalliabilities)nextorsubsequentgenerationoffinancial
managers.Assumeagenerationisfromonemanagertothenextisabout20years.
Gentleconditioning(extraction)usegentleactiontoleaveclaylumpsintactandtherebyavoidtheir
dispersionandavailabilitytomakeMFT.
GlaciationcontinentalglaciationthatcoveredmostofCanadaduringthePleistoceneEpoch.Muchof
theicewasoveramilethick.
Glaciolacustrineclayclaydepositsthatformedinlakesassociatedwiththedyingstagesofglaciation,
Glacialtillseetill,
Grainsizedistributionrangeofgrainsizespresentinasoilsample.
Granitetypeofigneousrock
Gravityseparationsimpleprocessusedtoseparatesandfromslurriedoilsandore.
GrossRevenueRoyaltyRateroyaltyapplieduntilpayout.Itisapercentofgrossrevenue.
Groundwaterextractablesubsurfacewater
Gullyerosionchannelcutintosoil.Difficulttocontroloncestarted.
Gypsumhydrouscalciumsulphate.ActsasacoagulantforMFT.
Halo(claysurface)bodyofwaterandionsinthewaterformahalosurroundingaclayparticle,
Heatrecovery(extraction)inplantwaterrecyclerecoverswaterbutalsotheheatcontainedinit.
Hectareunitoflandareameasurement.Hectarecontainsabout2.5acres.Ahectaremeasures100
metresby100metres.
Hinderedsettlingparticlessettlinginasuspensionsufficientlyconcentratedthatheyinteractand
hinderoneanother.
Historicinventory(MFT)largevolumeofstoredMFTwaitingforasolution.
HolddeveloperaccountableERCBremindoilsanddevelopersthattheyownreclamationliabilitiesand
areobligedtoreclaimthem.
HorizonProjectfourthmineableoilsandprojectjustinstartupmode.
Hydrotransporttransportoreinawaterslurryusingapipeline.
Imperfect(tailingsforecastmodel)politewayofsayingitdoesnotwokverywell.
Insituintheground.
Independentreviewreviewbyanexternalknowledgeablereviewerwhohasnotiestotheproject.
Inpitwithintheminepit
Integratedfacility(asanoilsandplant)integratedhasmining,extractionandupgradingononesite.
Interburden(mining)wastezonewithinanorebody
Intergenerationaltransfer(reclamation)transferliabilitiesforcleanuptoafuturegeneration.
Interlaminated(geology)fineinterlayereddeposit
Karst(geology)possessessolutionfeaturessuchascaves,sinkholesandcollapsestructures.
Leanoilsandlowgrade,bitumencontenttoolowtomineasore.
Legacyinventoryhistoricaccumulation(ofMFT)
Liabilityanobligationtodofuturework
Lightcomponents(inoil)lighthydrocarbonssuchasnaphtha
Liquefactionphenomenonwherebyasanddepositlosesallstrengthandbehavesasaliquid.
Liquidlimitwatercontentofsoilthatseparatesliquidfromplasticbehavior
Maintenancefreedoesnotrequiremaintenance
Maturefinetailstailingsthathassettledtoabout30%byweightsolidandresistsfurtherdensification.
AlsoknownasMFT
Methodologyproceduresused
MFTgrowthincreaseinMFTinventory
Micronunitofmeasurementonemillionthpartofametre.
Middlings(extraction)slurriedoreafterbitumenandsandhavebeenremoved.
Minepitwhereoreismined
Mineactiveminethatisstillinuse
Minebaseminethatsupportedthebaseorfirstoilsandproject
Minebenchworkingsurfaceinamine
Minedoutareapartofminewhereorehasbeenremoved.
Muskegorganicdepositthataccumulatesatsurfaceinnorthernareas.
NaphthenicacidsnaturalcompoundsfoundintheFortMcMurraydeposits.Mustberemovedfrom
tailingswaterbeforeitcanbereleasedtoadjacentareas.
Netincomeincomelessoperatingexpenses
Netrevenueroyaltyrateprofitbasedroyalty.Itisappliedafterpayout.
NetpresentValueNPVvaluetodayofafutureincomestreamdiscountedtotoday
Nonsegregatingmix(tailings)amixofsoilcomponentsthatdoesnotsegregateinaslurry,during
pipelinetransportorwhenplaced.Aspecificmixofsand,finesandwaterisrequiredtoachievethis.
AlsocalledNST.
Normalstress(soilmechanics)stressorloadappliedatsurface
Offshore(geology)depositionenvironmentoffshoreasopposedtoonlandoronabeach
Offshorebar(geology)asandbarthatformsoffshore
Ontario1990MiningActprovincialminingactthatsetguidelinesforprospecting,minedevelopment,
reclamation,C&Rplans,closure,financialassurance.
Operatingpermitregulatoryapprovalrequiredformostoperations
Operator(oilsands)organizationthatmanagesanoilsandproject
Orderofmagnitudesize,factorof10.
Ore(mining)materialthatcanbeminedandthecontentsextractedprofitably
Orefreezoneareathatisnotunderlainbyore
Oregrade(inoilsands)%oftotalweightthatisbitumen
Outwash(geology)soildepositedbywaterexitingfromaglacier,usuallyreferstosandandgravel
Overburden(mining)materialaboveoremustberemovedbeforeorecanbemined.
Overburdenofgoodqualityoverburdenthatissuitableasaconstructionmaterial
Overdose(extraction)addingtoomuchreagent,oftenhasadversesideeffect
Oxidizedore(mining)orethathasbeenexposedtoweatheringandhasdegradedasaresult
Packing(sand)arrangementofsandparticlesandthedensitythatprovidesfrictionalstrength
Paleozoic(geology)spanoftimefromroughly120to500millionyearsago
Partialsolutiononlysolvespartofaproblem.Requiresomethingadditional
Particleshape(soilmechanics)e.g.equidimensional,elongated,rounded,flat,highwidthtothickness
Particlesize(soilmechanics)averagediameterofanequivalentsphere,
Pathtoclosureroutethataprojectistakingtoachieveacceptableclosurewhenreclamationis
completed
Payoutprojectfinancialstatuswhencumulativeincomeexceedsdevelopmentcosts
Peakstrengthmaximumstrengthachievedonastressstraincurve
Permanentstorage(reclamation)placementthatwilllastforever
Permeability(hydraulicconductivity)abilityofamaterialtotransmitfluidorwater
Perpetualcarerequiresmaintenanceforever.Requireanendowmenttofundthework.
Pipelinepipeconduittotransportfluid,alsocanmeantheactoftransportbypipeline
Pipelinespecificationspecificationgoverningallowablesolidandwatercontentofmaterialthatwillbe
allowedinapipeline.
Plasticclayclaythatexhibitsplasticcharacteristics
Plasticityabilityofamaterialtodeformasignificantamountwithoutrupturing
PlasticityIndexliquidlimitminusplasticlimit
Plasticlimitwatercontentseparatingplasticbehaviorfromsolidbehavior
Pledgeprojectassets(reclamation)provideprojectinfrastructureascollateralforareclamationbond
Pollutertheonethatcausedpollution.
Porespaceopenspacebetweensoilparticles
Porewaterpressurepressureactingonwatercontainedinportspace.Itcanoffsetnormalstress.
PreCretaceousriverahistoricriverthatexistedbeforetheCretaceousperiod
Predevelopmentbaselinestudytodocumentnaturalconditionsthatexistedbeforeproject
developmentstarted
Preglacialchannel(geology)achannelthatexistedbeforecontinentalglaciations
Preproduction(project)projectstagebeforeoperationsproduceamarketableproduct
Primaryseparationvesselfirststepinoilsandextraction,usedtoseparatesandfromtherest
Primeresponsibilitymostimportantassignment
Privilege(legal)customwherebyinformationprovidedtoalawyerintrustisnotavailablefor
disclosure
Probabilitystatisticalchanceofaneventoccurring
Processaffectedwaterwaterexposedtooilsandorprocesses,judgedtobecontaminated.
Processaids(extraction)chemicalsaddedtofacilitateseparationofbitumenfromoilsand
Productionmakingproduct
Profitincomeafterdeductionofexpenses,royaltyandtaxes
Progressivereclamationreclamationthatisundertakenatthefirstopportunity
Progressivereclamationapproachprogressiveasopposedtodeferredapproachtoreclamation
Projectapprovalprocessofobtainingregulatoryapprovalforcommercialdevelopment
Projectlifecyclethefullcycleextendsfrominitialplanningthroughdevelopment,operationsand
closure
Projectedinventory(tailings)forecastvolumeoffluidtailingsintheyearsaheadifthereisnochange
incurrentoperations
Proliferationoftailingspondsrapidgrowthorexpansionperhapsinexcessofneedorcapabilityofthe
landscapetohostthem
Publichearinghearingintoaprojectapplicationthatisopentothepublic.
Pumpmovebypipeline,motorthatdoesthepumping
QualifyingEnvironmentalTrustatrustestablishedtofundfuturereclamationactivities.Coveredby
federallaw.
Quartz(geology)commonmineralinoilsandscompositionsilicondioxide
Rateofreturn(economic)financialreturntoinvestorconsideringallinvestment,expenses,royaltyand
taxes.
ReclamationandClosurePlanaplanoutlininggoals,procedures,andschedulestoreclaimadisturbed
sitesoitwillqualifyforatimelyReclamationCertificate.
ReclamationCertificateacertificategrantedbyregulatorsattestingtothefactthatthedisturbedsite
hasbeensatisfactorilyreclaimed.Italsomeansthatthedevelopersreclamationliabilitiesareover.
Reclamationcostthecostofreclaimingasitetoasatisfactorycondition
ReclamationSecurityAgreementRSAagreementbetweenthedeveloperandtheregulatorsthat
defineswhataqualifyingenvironmentaltrustistoaccomplish.
Reclamationstandardsstandardsgoverningreclamation.
Recyclewater(extraction)processwaterthatisrecycledforreuse.
Recyclewaterinplantprocesswaterthatiscapturedandrecycledintheextractionplant.An
advantagethecontainedheatisalsocaptured.Normalextractiondischargesthewaterandheattothe
tailingspond.
RegisteredTrustCompanyacompanyregisteredtolegallymanagetrustaccounts.
Regulatoronewhoadministersprojectlicensingandreviewonbehalfofthegovernment
Rehandle(mining)handlematerialasecondtime,alsoappliestothematerial
Remouldthoroughallymixsoastodestroypreviousstructure
Reprocessedprocessforasecondtime
Repulsiveforcesinterparticleforcesthatpreventparticlesfromapproachingoneanother.Oppositeof
attractiveforces.
Reservesquantityofrecoverableproductinownedoremeasuredtoagivenstandard
Reservoirgeologicaltrapthatholdsoilresource
Residualbitumen(tailings)unrecoveredorextractedbitumenthatremainsinwastestreams
Residualsolventunrecoveredsolventthatremainsinwastestreams
Residuesolidcomponentafterfiltrationorcentrifugetreatment
Responsiblegoals(project)overallgoalsthatwilldirectprojectoperatorstodotherightthing
Restoretoanimprovedstatereclaimtoastandardhigherthanrequired
ReviewBoardpanelofindependentexpertsthatreviewsandadvisesonprojectmatters
Risk(damfailure)riskofatailingsdambreachingandreleasingcontents
Risk(unnecessary)unnecessaryriskduetodeferredproofthatreclamationplansareviable
Riskpremiumaddedfinancialassuranceneedtocoveruncertaintyinplanningbasisorcost
Salinecontainsahighconcentrationofdissolvedsalt
Sandgranularmaterialwithagrainsizeofbetween74and1,000microns
Sanddunedepositofwindblownsand
Sandtofinesratioweightofsandsizedmaterial/weightoffinegrainedmaterial
Sandstonebedrockofcementedsand
Satellite(mine)remoteminethatisrelatedtobutseparatetothebasemine
Scanningelectronmicroscopeveryhighpoweredmicroscope
Screen(ore)passorethroughascreentoremovelumps.
Screen(sieve)devicewithholesinittocatchandremoveparticlesaboveagivensize
SeaShore(environment)depositionenvironmentattheedgeoftheseabeach,shallowwateretc.
Sedimentaryrockrockcomposedoftransportedanddepositedfragmentsofpreviousrock
Seepagewaterissuingfromafaceorbaseofamine
Selectiveminingminingthatremovesselectmaterialsuchasaproblemoreorclaybed
Selfsupportingsolidmaterialthatpossessessufficientstrengththatitcanstandwithoutsupport
Separationcell(extraction)cellwhererisingairbubblesattachthemselvestobitumenandseparateit
fromwastematerial
Sequenceoflandusetypicalsequenceclearoverburden,mineore,backfillwithtailings,reclaim.
Settlingspeed(extraction)speedatwhichaparticlewillsinktoalowerlevel
Shalecompressedorcementedclayrock
Shareholdersownersofsharesonacompany
Shearstrengthdrainedstrengthofmaterialloadedataratethatisslowenoughthatitcandrain
excessporewaterpressure
Shearstrength(undrained)strengthofmaterialloadedataratetoofasttopermitdrainage
Shovel(mining)largeexcavatorusedtoloadtrucks
Siltgranularmaterialwithaparticlesizebetween2and74microns
Siltcontent%byweightofsolidmaterialthatissilt,
Sinkholeverticalsolutionchamberleadingtosolutionactivityatdepth
Sitedevelopmentpreparingasiteforanotherusedrainage,levelsurface,provideworkpads
Sludgeweak,wet,finegrainedtailings,MST
Slurrysuspensionofsoilmaterialinwater
Socioeconomicassessmentstudyofeffectofaproposeddevelopmentonlocalsocialinfrastructure
andeconomicwellbeingofthesurroundingcommunity
Sodiumadsorptionratio(SAR)ameasureoftheconcentrationsodiumvs.calciumandmagnesiumions
inporewater.(Na/(Ca2+Mg2)0.5SARlevelsover12to15adverselyaffectplantgrowth,soilisdispersive,
highlyerodibleandunsuitableforuseinwaterretainingdykes.
Sodiumclayclaysurroundedbyporewaterinwhichsodiumisthedominantdissolvedion.
SodiumhydroxideChemicalwiththeformulaNaOH
Soilskeletonstructureofsoilparticlesthatformsinsedimentingsoil
Soilsodicsoilinwhichthedominantdissolvedionintheporewaterissodiumchloride
Soilstructurestructureformedbysoilparticles
Soilstructurecollapse(geotechnical)collapseofaweaksoilstructureifunabletosupportload
Solidcomponentsolidmineralweight%ofasoil/watermixture
Soliddepositdepositthatpossessessufficientstrengththatitcanstandwithoutexternalsupport
Solidwastewastedepositthatpossessessufficientstrengththatitcanstandwithoutexternalsupport
Solidweight%Weight%ofsolidmineralmatterinamixtureofsolidandwater
Solidcontentweight%ofasoilthatissolidmatter
Solutionmixtureofsolidmaterialandwater,ormixtureofchemicalsdissolvedinwater
Solventsubstancethatwilldissolveanother
ScientificResearchandExperimentalDevelopmentSR&EDfederalresearchincentiveprogram
Stakeholderanypersonwithaninterestinaproject
Starterpondtailingsponduseduntilthereisroomfortailingsinthemine.
Startupturnon,startproductionofanewfacility
Startupstagestageofaprojectatthestartofoperations.
Statusquocurrentconditions
Sterilize(mining)preventaccesstoore,
Stockexchangemarketwheresharesofpubliccompaniesaretraded
StokesLawlawthatgovernstherateatwhichaparticlewillsettleinafluid.
Strengthabilityofamaterialtoresistdeformation
Suspensionmixtureofsolidparticlesinadiluteslurry
Suncorcompanywithalargeoilsanddevelopment
SyncrudeSyncrudeCanadaLimitedthelargestoilsanddeveloper
Surchargeweightappliedatsurface
Surfaceactivity(soilmechanics)smallforcesactiveonthesurfaceofclayparticlesbecauseofthelarge
surfacearea
Surpluswater(inCT)waterabovetheequilibriumwatercontent,itwilldrainoff
Swampdepositsedimentsthatforminaswamp,organic,clayrich
SyncrudeCrownAgreementagreementthatgaveSyncrudealegalstatus
Tailingswastederivedfromoilsandextractionsand,silt,clay,water,somebitumen.
Tailingsbeachbeachdepositattheedgeofatailingspond
Tailingspondwastefacilityinvolvingperimeterdykesandacentralpond.Fluidtailingsiscontainedin
thepond.
TailingsPondactivetailingspondthatisinuse
Tillsoildepositedbyaglacier
Tillbasalsoildepositedatthebaseofaglaciergenerallydense,strongandwellgraded
Tillablationsoilthatwasinorontheglacierwhentheicemelted.
Timelydewateringremovewaterintimefortheprojecttobenefitfromit
TimelyReclamationCertificatequalifyforareclamationcertificatewithinafewyearsaftertheendof
operations
Topsoilorganictoplayerofsoilthatsupportsplantgrowth
Traditionaleconomicmodelcomputesreturnbasedonincomeandexpensesvs.time(ignores
liabilities)
Transitionlayerlayerofwaterinatailingspondbetweenoverlyingzonewhereparticlessettlefreely
andanunderlyingzonewheresettlementishindered
TrustandLoansCompanyActlegislationgoverningestablishmentofaTrustandLoanfinancial
institution
Turbulentprocessing(extraction)highlyagitatedslurriesthatmaybreakupanddisperseclays
TV/BIPdimensionlessorebodycharacterizationtermtotalvolumeofmaterialtobemoved/volume
ofbitumeninplace
Unconformity(geology)gapinthesedimentarycolumnwhereaperiodoftimeisnotrepresented.
Underflowstreamissuingfromthebaseofathickenerorcyclone(thecoarsestream).Finegrained
materialexitsviatheoverflow.
Uniformgrainsizesoilwithonlyonegrainsize.
Upgrade(refining)convertbitumentoalightsyntheticcrude
Upgradingyield(refining)volumeofproductout/volumeofproductinmeasuredin%
Verifyfeasibilitydemonstratethatitisfeasibletoreclaimusingapproachproposed.
VolatileOrganicCompounds(VOCs)Volatileorganiccompoundsdeleteriousemissionsassociated
withoilsandtailings.ExamplesLighthydrocarbonemissionssuchas
Voidspaceporespacebetweensoilparticles
Voidratio(soilmechanics)(volumeofvoidspace)/(volumeofsolid)
Volume%%ofaparticularcomponentinasoilvolumemeasure
Wastebyproductofoilsandprocessingthathasnovalue
Wastedumpplacewheresolidwasteisstored
Wastedumpoutofpit.Awastedumplocatedoutsidethemine.
Waterchemistrytypeandconcentrationofchemicalspresent,pH
Watersandswaterbearingsandsbelowthebitumensaturatedzone.
Waterclarificationfacilityfacilitytoclarifywaterusuallyintheplantasopposedtotailingspond.
Weight%percentofthetotalweightduetoaspecificcomponent.
Weight%claypercentoftotalweightduetoclay.Sometimescomputedwithoutconsidering
contributionofsandandsiltasitistheclaycomponentthatmatters.
Weight%finespercentoftotalweightduetofines
Wellsorteduniformgrainsizeusuallyatermappliedtosand
WestTexasIntermediatecrudecrudeoilusedtodescribestandardpriceofoil
Zerowaterdischargepolicypolicythatprohibitsoilsandprojectsfromdischargingprocessaffected
waterduringtheoperatingphaseofaproject.
Symbols
AEPEA`AlbertaEnvironmentalProtectionandEnhancementAct
AENVAlbertaEnvironment
bblbarrels
BMLBaseMineLake(Syncrude)
BAETBestavailableeconomictechnology
C&RPlanClosureandReclamationPlan
CCACapitalCostAllowance
CDECanadianDevelopmentExpense
COSCanadianOilSandTrust(theproperstocksymbolisCOS.UN
CWRclaytowaterratio
EIAEnvironmentalImpactAssessment
ERCBEnergyResourcesConservationBoard
GJGigaJoulemeasureofenergy,109joules
hahectare,areameasuring100mby100m
ITCinvestmenttaxcredit
LTPlongtermplan
MFTmaturefinetails
NGONonGovernmentOrganization
QETQualifyingEnvironmentalTrust
RSAReclamationSecurityAgreement
SARsodiumadsorptionratio
SFRsandtofinesratio
NaOHsodiumhydroxide
SRDAlbertaSustainableDevelopment
SR&EDScientificResearchandExperimentalDevelopment
TV/BIPtotalvolume/volumeofbitumeninplace
VOCsVolatileorganiccompounds
WORwastetopreratio
AppendixB.4SoilPropertiesandBehaviour
TableofContents
#
B.A4.
B.A4.
B.A4.
B.A4.
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2
3
B.A4. 4
B.A4.
B.A4.
B.A4.
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4.2
4.3
5
6
7
7.1
7.2
7.3
7.4
7.5
7.6
B.A4.
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7.7
7.8
8
8.1
8.2
8.3
8.4
9
Topic
SoilPropertiesandBehaviour
Introduction
Characteristicsofsand,siltandclay,(thebuildingblocks)
Behaviourofsoilindilutesuspensions(tailingspond
activity)
Effectofaddingsandtoclayandviceversa(whatgoverns
behaviour)
Effectofaddingsandtoclay
Therelevanceoffines
Effectofaddingclaytosand
Permeability(whataffectstherateofconsolidation)
Consolidation
Strength(whatweneedforreclamation)
Strengthingeneral
Thixotropy
Strengthoffinetails
Strengthofsometailingsdeposits
Strengthrequiredfordifferentapplications
WaterremovalfromMFTrequiredtoachievethedesired
strength
Aboutcoagulants,flocculatingagentsandstrength
SummaryonStrength
Measurement
Therelevanceofmeasurementinsoilproperties
Characterizingclay
Measuringparticlesizedistribution
Characterizingsamplesusedinresearch
Closureonsoilpropertiesandbehaviour
Page
1
3
4
7
7
9
9
10
11
13
13
14
14
15
15
15
17
18
18
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TheRockDoctorAppendixB.4SoilPropertiesandBehaviour
Pagei
ListofTables
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3
4
5
6
Title
Comparisonofextractionvs.geotechnicaldefinitions
Parametersusedingeotechnicalcorrelationstoforecast
behaviour
Contrastingcharacteristicsofsand,siltandclay
Behaviourofsoilinadilutesuspension
Estimatedstrengthofvariousclay/finetailingsstreams
Strengthrequiredfordifferentapplications
Page
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2
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15
ListofFigures
B.A4.
B.A4.
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B.A4.
B.A4.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
SurfaceAreavsparticlesize
ScanningelectronmicroscopephotoofMFTsoilstructure
PhotoB.A3.2withsandandsiltsuperimposedtoscale
Illustrationofsandandsiltsurroundedbyclay
AddingsandtoMFTwith30%clay
Hydraulicconductivityvs.voidratiooffluidtailings
Strengthvs.densityofMFT
RelativevolumesofmineralsolidandwaterinMFT
GrainsizedistributionofMFTshowingerrorwithquick
method
5
6
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TheRockDoctorAppendixB.4SoilPropertiesandBehaviour
Pageii
B.4.1Introduction
Thisappendixdealswithsoilpropertiesandbehaviourpertinenttotailings.Topicscoveredinclude:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
Introduction
Contrastingcharacteristicsofsand,siltandclay(Thebuildingblocks)
Behaviourofsoilinadilutesuspension(Activityinatailingspond)
Effectofaddingsandtoclayandviceversa(Whatdominatessoilbehaviour)
Permeabilityandgradient(Whatcontrolstherateofconsolidation)
Consolidation(NaturaldensificationofMFT)
Strength(Whatweneedforreclamation)
Swellingclays
Measuringproperties
Closureonsoilproperties
TheAppendixshouldbereadalongwithChapterB.10onprocessesthatdensifyMFT.
Geotechnicalworkinoilsandstailingsiscomplicatedbyanumberoffactorsasnotedbelow:
1. Bitumen
a. Bitumencomplicatesmaterialhandling,samplepreparationandtesting
b. Bitumenisusuallytreatedaspartofthewater
c. Bitumenremovaltoprepareasamplefortestingoftenchangesthebasicbehaviourof
thematerial.
2. Competingclassificationsystemsusethesameterminologybuthavedifferentmeanings.
Processengineersareinchargeofextractionandtailings.Theirsimpleneedsandterminology
arecomparedwithgeotechnicaldefinitionsinTableB.A4.1.
TableB.A4.1ComparisonofExtractionvsgeotechnicaldefinitions
GeotechnicalUseandApproach
Parameter
ExtractionUseandApproach
Use
Simpleapplication
Focus
The Rock Doctor
Doesitsettlequicklyin
waterornot
Simplemeasureofslurry
density
Bitumenextraction
Understandmaterialproperties
Predictbehaviour
Predicthowtoimprovecharacterof
tailingsandprepareforclosure.
ForecastthevolumeofMFT
Dealwithtailings
Optimizepathtoclosure
Page1
TableB.A4.1ComparisonofExtractionvsGeotechnicaldefinitions(cont.)
Relevantparticle
size
Relevant
materials
Watercontent
Claycontent
Coarserorfinerthan44micronsto
identifywhichcircuitinextraction
willhandleit.
Sand>74microns(inert,settles
rapidly,highpermeability)
Silt<74and>2microns(inert,settles
slowly,lowpermeability
Clay>2microns(notinert,important
intheformationoffluidtailings,large
volume,lowpermeability)
Coarse(sand)(>44microns)
Sand>44microns
Fines(<44microns)
Silt(<74and>2microns)
(Finesmaycontain0to100%clay) Clay(<2microns)
sizedmaterial)
(wtwater+bitumen)/(wtsand+
Wtwater/wtsolids
fines+water+bitumen)
Noequivalent
Weightclay/wtallsolid
wtfines/(wtsolid+water+bitumen)
3. Widespreaduseofimpropermeasurementofparticlesizedistributionsthatseriouslyunder
reporttheamountofclaysizedmaterial.(seeSectionB.A4.9.3).
4. Variablesoil.ThegeologicalenvironmentinwhichtheMcMurrayFormationwasdepositedis
highlyvariable.Asaresultmeasurementsandforecastmaterialpropertiesarehighlyvariable.
Variabilityisanimportantaspectthatresearchersignoreattheirperil.
TableB.A4.2listssomegeotechnicalcorrelationsthatdependonaccuratemeasurementofkey
parameters.
TableB.A4.2Parametersusedingeotechnicalcorrelationstoforecastbehaviour.
Parameter
Derivationandhowitisused
Bitumencontent
Oftentreatedaspartofthewater.Misleadingwhenwatercontentis
usedtoforecastbehaviour.
Watercontent
Keycomponentofmanyparametersusedtoforecastgeotechnical
behaviour.Thegeotechnicalwatercontentisusedintheparameters
notedbelow.
The Rock Doctor
Page2
TableB.A4.2Parametersusedingeotechnicalcorrelationstoforecastbehaviour(continued).
Liquidlimit
PlasticLimit
PlasticityIndex
LiquidityIndex
Claycontent
Activity
Clay/waterratio
Voidratio
Watercontentofasoilseparatingliquidfromplasticbehaviour.
(Theundrainedshearstrengthofmaterialattheliquidlimitis1.7kPa)
Watercontentofasoilthatseparatesplasticfromsolidbehaviour.
(Theundrainedshearstrengthofmaterialattheplasticlimitis170kPa)
Liquidlimitplasticlimit
Rangeofwatercontentoverwhichasoilexhibitsplasticbehaviour
Lowplasticityliquidlimitbelow50%
Highplasticityliquidlimitabove50%
(naturalwatercontentplasticlimit)/(plasticityindex)
Indicatesproximitytotheliquidorplasticlimitsandthebehaviour
strengthassociatedwitheach
(Weightofmaterialfinerthan2microns)/(weightofallsoilsolids)
Notmeasuredinextraction
PlasticityIndex/(Claycontentexpressedasa%)
Anindicationoftheplasticityoftheclaycomponent.
Watercontentoftheclaycomponent(weightofwater/weightofclay)or
viceversa.
Animportantindicatorofstrengthchangeinsoilswherestrengthis
controlledbytheclaycontent
(Volumeofvoids/volumeofsolids)
Animportantparameterusedtopredictsoilvolumeandconsolidation
underappliedstress.
B.A4.2Characteristicsofsand,siltandclay(thebuildingblocks)
The following discussion is a generalization of soil components and the behaviour of each. The
discussion relates to individual particles. Materials are distinguished according to grain size, although
themineralogyofclayisusuallydifferentfromthatofsiltandsand.
TableB.A4.3Contrastingcharacteristicsofsand,silt,andclay.
Property/Material
ParticleSize
Visibletonakedeye
Particleshape
Surfaceactivity
Surfacearea
Cohesive
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Sand
>75
Yes
Equidimensional
L/D~1
Inert
Low
Silt
2to75
No
Equidimensional
L/D~1
Inert
Low
No
No
Clay
<2
No
Plateshaped
L/D~10to100
Active
Increasesexponentially
assizedecreases
Cohesive
Page3
TableB.A4.3Contrastingcharacteristicsofsand,silt,andclay.(cont.)
Property/Material
Plasticity
Originofstrength
Permeability
Affected by water
chemistry
LegendforTable6.1
Sand
No
Frictional
High
Inert
Silt
No
Frictional
Low
Inert
Clay
Plastic
Cohesive
Verylow
HighlyAffected
=micron,(onemillionthofametre)
L=Lengthorwidthofaparticle
D=Thicknessofaparticle
Cohesion=possessesstrengthindependentofnormalstress
Plasticity=abletoundergolargestrainwithoutrupture
Sandiscomposedofvisibleequidimensionalparticles.
Siltismuchlikesand,butfinergrainedandwithlowerpermeability.
Clayiscomposedofveryfine,plateshapedparticles.Itpossessescohesionandplasticityduetoitshigh
surface area and interaction with water and water chemistry. Clay mineralogy often favours the flat
particleshape.
Interactionbetweenthesurfaceofclayparticles,adjacentwater,andionsdissolvedinthatwater,affect
clay behaviour. Figure B.A4.1 indicates that surface area increases exponentially as the particle size
decreases.Thelargerthesurfacearea,thelargertheeffectofsmallsurfaceforces.FigureB.A4.1also
indicatesalowsurfaceareaforsandandsiltsizedmaterials.Thatexplainstheirinertbehaviour.
Ultrafineparticleshaveadiameteroflessthan0.2microns.Theyhaveanextremelyhighsurfacearea
andcandominatesoilbehaviourifpresent(Tuet.al.,2005).
B.A4.3Behaviourofsoilindilutesuspensions(tailingspondactivity)
Table B.A4.4 illustrates behaviour in a dilute suspension. Sand and silt behave as inert granular
materials.Stokeslawstatesthattherateofsettlementisproportionaltotheparticlediametersquared.
(Terzaghietal,1996).Asaresult,sand,withitslargesizedparticles,settlesoutofsuspensionrapidly.
Silt, because of its finer particle size, settles at a slower rate, but it will eventually settle out of
suspension. A practical example of behaviour in a dilute suspension is the behaviour in the primary
settlingvesselinextraction.Theresandsettlesrapidlyandcanberemovedfromtheoreslurry.Siltand
claysizedparticlesremaininsuspension.
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FigureB.A4.1Surfaceareavs.particlesize
Sand
Clay
Silt
25
Surfaceaream2/gram
20
44u
2u
15
10
0
1000
100
10
0.1
Particlediameter microns
TableB.A4.4Behaviourofsoilinadilutesuspension.
Property/Material
Sand
Silt
Settlingspeed
Rapid
Slow
Waterchemistry
Noeffect
Noeffect
Time to settle out of Rapid
Requirestime
suspension
Natureofsettledmaterial Loosegranular
Loosergranular
Clay
Veryslow
Largeeffect
Requiresalotoftime
Developsaweak
openstructure
Verylongtime
Timeforsettledmaterial Shorttime
Longertime
todevelopstrength
Surfacechargesonaclayparticleattractahaloofsurroundingwateranddissolvedions.Thesizeofthe
halodependsonthewaterchemistry.Thehaloisbroadiftheionsaremonovalentanddilute.Thehalo
is compact if the ions are multivalent and concentrated. The clay particles with their attracted halos
interactwithothersuspendedclayparticlesandtheirattractedhalos.
Near the surface of a tailings pond, clay particles and their attracted halos are so far from their
neighbours that they do not interact. They settle freely. As the concentration of particles increases at
depth, the particles interact and settlement is hindered. The particles orient themselves with one
another according to the forces of attraction and repulsion between particles. Eventually a weak
structure forms. Repulsive forces that increase as particles come closer together prevent further
densification.
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MatureFineTailsorMFThasthatstructure.FigureB.A4.2(Reeravipoolet.al.,2008)showsapairof
scanning electron microscope photos of soil structure in fluid tailings. The sample was prepared for
viewingusingtechniquesthatremovewaterwithoutdisturbingthesoilstructure.Thephotoontheleft
represents a magnification of 500 times. The photo on the right represents a magnification of 2,000
times.Scalebarsintheupperrightcornersofthephotosare10and1micronslongrespectively.The
photosshowindividualplateshapedparticlesandthetrendofthesoilskeleton.Wateroccupiesmostof
thevolume.InMFT,solidparticlesonlyoccupy15%ofthevolume.
FigureB.A4.2Scanningelectron
microscopephotosofMFTsoilstructure
Magnification500X
Magnification2,000x
TheMFTstructureisextremelyweak.ItispostulatedthatrecentlyformedMFTistooweaktosupport
anindividualgrainofsand.Ifagrainofsanddropsintothetailingspond,itwillsettlethroughtheupper
waterzonesuntilitreachestheMFT. Therethesandgrainwill overloadandbreakthe MFTstructure
andgraduallydropthroughthedeposit.Eventuallythesandgrainwillsinktothebottomofthedeposit,
10sofmetresbelow.
At some point in the future, the repulsive forces separating clay particles will be overcome. Then the
particles will move closer together and develop strength. Initially they will only be strong enough to
supportlightloading.Appliedloadswillpushparticlesclosertogethertoastrongerpacking.
FigureB.A4.3isphotoB.A4.2withascalesizedsandparticlesuperimposedonit.
If the clay particles in suspension occur in lumps or booklets of particles instead of as individual
particles,thesurfaceeffectswillbereducedandthelumpswillbehavelikecoarsersandparticles.
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B.A4.4Effectofaddingsandtoclayandviceversa(whatdominatesbehaviour)
B.A4.4.1Effectofaddingsandtoclay
Claystructurecontrolsthestrengthofaclaydeposit.Itisproportionaltotherelativeamountsofclay
andwaterpresent.Theproportionsareindicatedbytheweightratio:clay/(clay+water)orwater/(clay
pluswater).
If one grain of sand is added to a clay deposit, it will add to the volume and to the weight % solids.
However,claythatsurroundsitwilldominatestrength.Thesandactsasinertfiller.Addingmoresand
will have the same effect. The clay component will dominate strength as long as the clay phase has
continuity.FigureB.A4.4illustratesthegeometryofsandparticlessuspendedinaclaysoil.
Sandwillbegintocontributetostrengthwhenthereissomuchsandthatthesandparticlestouchand
interact with each other. The concentration when that will happen depends on the grain size
distributionofthesand.Sandparticlesareexpectedtostartinteractingwitheachotherwhenthesand
concentrationisover50%.
Theeffectofaddingsilttoaclaydepositwillbesimilartotheeffectofaddingsand.
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FigureB.A4.4Illustrationofsandand
siltsurroundedbyclay
Sand
Clay
Silt
Figure B.A4.5 shows the effect of adding sand to an MFT deposit that contains 30% by weight clay.
Adding sand increases the volume, the weight, and the weight % solids. However, the clay content
(clay/(clay+water))andthewatercontent(water/(clay+water))donotchange.Asaresult,weshould
notexpecttheadditionofsandattheseconcentrationstoaffectstrength.
FigureB.A4.5EffectofaddingsandtoMFT
200
wtwater/(clay+water)
180
wtclay/(clay+water)
160
Relativeweightorpercent
wtsand
140
Totalweight
Volume
120
wttotalsolids/(totalweight)
100
80
60
40
20
0
0
0.5
1.5
2.5
Sand/Finesratio
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Thelatterpointisimportantbecausemanywhoarestudyingfluidtailingsassumeadirectrelationship
betweenstrengthandoveralldensity.Indeedsomeoperationsreportimprovedperformancebyadding
sand to a thickener. The sand may aid processes in the thickener, and will increase the overall solids
contentbut,unlesstheyincreasethe{clay/(clay+water)}ratiotheywillnotimprovestrength.
B.A4.4.2Therelevanceoffines
Fines are the amount of material smaller than 44 microns. The relative amounts of silt and clay sized
particlespresentinfinesarenotdefined.Theycanvaryfrom0%to100%each.
Theprecedingsectionsshowedtheimportanceofclays.Clayisamajorcontributortotheformationof
MFT and gives it such unique properties. The clay component will dominate strength as long as it
exceedsabout50%ofthetotalsoilpresent.Termsthatdescribethecharacteroftheclaycomponent
are:(clay/(clay+water)andwater/(clay+water).Thoseratiosarecalculatedasifthesiltandsandwere
absent.
In the preceding examples the fines content is somewhat irrelevant. Similarly weight % solids or
weight%water(asapercentofthetotalweight),asanindicationofstrength,ismisleading.
B.A4.4.3Effectofaddingclaytosand
Theeffectofaddingaclay/watermixtoasanddepositisasfollows:
Theclay/watermixactsasaporespacefiller.
Aminoramountofporefillerwillreducepermeabilityproportionaltotheamountofporespace
thatitoccupies.Theeffectonfrictionalstrengthofthesandwillbenegligible.
Whentheporefillerfillsthevoidspaceinthesand(20%to40%)itwilldominatepermeability.
Initialpeakstrengthofthesandshouldbeunchangedaslongastheoriginalpackingofthesand
is unchanged. Leakage along the sand surface may keep permeability higher than it would be
throughtheclayalone.
Thevolumeoftheporefillercanonlyexceedtheporespaceofthesandifitpushesthesand
grains to a looser packing. That will reduce contact between the sand grains and reduce
frictionalstrengthaccordingly.Theporefillerwilldominatepermeabilitywhenitexceeds30%
to50%ofthevolume.
Addingevenmoreporefillerwillcauseadditionalstrengthlossinthesand.Whentheporefiller
hascontinuity,itwilldominatethestrengthofthedeposit.(>50%porefiller)
The relative amount of pore filler that sand can tolerate depends on the grain size distribution of the
materials involved. Approximate concentrations of pore filler, where we expect to see effects, are
indicatedbybracketedpercentagesintheprecedingdiscussion.
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Apracticalexampleoftheeffectofaddingfinestosandiswhathappensonatailingsbeach.Operators
seektomaximizefinescaptureinthesandvoidsbecausefinescapturedinthebeacharenotavailable
tomakeMFT.TheoutcomeislessMFT.
Abeachcantoleratelimitedamountsofcapturedfines,aslongasthesandisfreetosettletoadense
strongstateandaslongasthesandretainsadequatepermeability.
Fines will dominate properties of the beach if capture is too successful. A low beach angle, reduced
trafficability,reducedpermeability,andlowstrengthindicatethatfinesaredominatingbehaviour.Ifthe
goalistocreateasolidselfsupportingsoil,itmightbebesttolimitfinescaptureinabeachto20%of
solidsinthebeachdeposit.Thatcanstillrepresent50%oftheMFTformingmaterialsoisavalidstep.
B.A4.5Permeability(Whataffectstherateofconsolidation)
Hydraulic conductivity, or permeability, is the capacity of a material to transmit fluid. The velocity at
whichwaterflowsinasoilisdescribedbyequation1below:
V=KI
(equation1)
Where:
V=flowvelocity
K=coefficientofpermeability
I=hydraulicgradient=headloss/length
Hydraulic conductivity relates to properties of the fluid and of the material it is passing through.
Permeabilityonlyrelatestopropertiesofthematerial.Thetwotermsareinterchangeablewherefluid
propertiesareessentiallyconstant.
Permeabilityisanimportantparameterbecauseitaffectstherateatwhichwaterwilldrainfrom
atailingsdeposit.Permeabilityaffectsthefeasibilityoftimelydewatering,densificationandstrength
gainintailings.
Permeabilityalsoaffectsfrictionalstrength.Permeabilitycontrolstherateatwhichexcessporewater
pressure that reduces normal stress can dissipate. In the worst case, where the pore water pressure
matchesthenormalpressure,strengthdropstozeroandliquefactionoccurs.
FigureB.A4.6showsaplotofhydraulicconductivityvs.voidratioforfluidtailings(Scottetal,2008).The
hydraulic conductivity decreases by several orders of magnitude as the soil densifies to a condition
representingsoilwithstrength.Thissuggeststhattherateofconsolidationwillslowconsiderablyasfine
tailingsdensifytoasolidstate.
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FigureB.A4.6Hydraulicconductivityvs.
voidratiooffluidtailings
MFT
Solid
B.A4.6Consolidation(naturaldensificationofMFT)
Consolidation takes place when a new layer is added on top of an existing saturated soil deposit.
Initially, the new load is carried by an increase in pressure in the pore water. The increase in pore
pressurecausessomewatertodrainfromthesystem.Drainagereducesporepressure,whichtransfers
its share of the load to the soil skeleton. Additional load pushes particles in the skeleton to a denser,
strongerposition.Densificationofthesoilskeletonloadstheporewaterandtheprocessrepeatsitself
untilthenewsurfaceloadissupportedentirelybythesoilskeleton(Devennyet.al.,1993).
Conditionsnecessaryforconsolidationtooccur;
Theremustbeanappliedloadatsurface,
Asoilskeletonmustdevelopthatisstrongenoughtosupportpartoftheload,
Drainagemustbeabletooccur.
The deposit will undergo considerable volume reduction as consolidation occurs. Permeability will
decreasebyseveralordersofmagnitudeasitconsolidatesfromMFTtoasolidstate.(Suthakeret.al.,
1996).Permeabilityisfurtherreducedifbitumenispresentintheporespace(Suthakeret.al.,1996)or
aslayersinthesoilprofile.
In general, the time for a deposit to consolidate is proportional to the length of the drainage path
squared.ThedrainagepathofMFTdepositsisquitelongsodoesnotfavourconsolidationinreasonable
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timeforclosure.Thelengthofthedrainagepathcanbeshortenedbywickdrainsorbyinternaldrainage
pathssuchaspathscreatedbygasescapingfrombacterialaction.
Forecastingthetimeforfinegrainedtailingstoconsolidateiscomplicatedby:
Variationsinmaterialcompositionandstratigraphy.
Repulsiveforcesthatdelaydevelopmentofasoilskeletonneededtosupportappliedloads.
Thepresenceofbitumeninporesandindiscretelayers.
Uncertaintyovertheeffectivelengthofthedrainagepath.
Materialpropertiesthatvarybyseveralordersofmagnitudeasthedepositbecomesdenser.
Simplemodelsbasedonfieldobservationssuggestrelativelyfastratesofconsolidationthatappearto
be linear with time 100 year time frame. In contrast most geotechnical forecast models predict
exponentialslowdownsasthedepositconsolidates.
Consideringthelimitedamountoffieldconsolidationtodate,andtheslowdownresultingfroma
decreaseinpermeabilityasthedepositbecomesdenser,weshouldbecautiousaboutforecastsabout
rapidconsolidation.
Whenanelectricalfieldisappliedtoamixtureofclayandwater,itactsasanextraforce.Clayparticles
withtheirnegativelychargedsurfacesareattractedtotheanode.Water,withitsattractedions,is
attractedtothecathode.
Applicationoftheelectricalfieldtoadilutesuspensioniscalledelectrophoresis.Applicationtoasolid
mixiscalledelectroosmosis.Bothprocessesspeedwaterremoval.
Summaryonconsolidation
ConsolidationisthenaturalprocessthatwilldewaterandstrengthenMFT.Thetimeforconsolidationto
take place depends on the magnitude of the applied load, the permeability of the deposit, and the
lengthofthedrainagepath.
The MFT deposits have not been designed to facilitate consolidation in a time frame that will benefit
expectationsforclosure.Deterrentsinclude:
Theweaksoilstructurethatimpedestheonsetofconsolidation,
A drainage path that is 10's of metres long and therefore requires a very long time to
consolidate.
Decreasingpermeabilityasthedepositconsolidates.
BubblingactivityfrombacteriaintheMFTarecreatingveryshortdrainagepathsthatareaccelerating
consolidation. That benefit could halt when the MFT develops sufficient strength to stop the
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propagationofbubblechannels.
Stepsthatcouldspeedtheconsolidationprocess
PlaceMFTinthinnerlayersbetweensandlayers.
Increasethesurchargeappliedatsurface.
Providedrainageatthebottomtoincreaseeffectivestressthroughouttheprofile.
Installdrainagewickstoreducethelengthofthedrainagepath.
SupplementtheeffectivenessofdrainagewickswithlayersofsandintheMFTprofile.
Applyanelectricalfieldtospeeddrainagebyelectroosmosis.
Makefulluseofdrainagepathreductioncreatedbybubblepaths.
AperpetualmaintenanceprogramwouldallowtimeforconsolidationtostrengthentheMFT.Ifthatis
notfeasible,theweakdepositswillprobablyrequirereprocessingbeforetheywillqualifyasastrongself
supportingmaterial.
B.A4.7Strength(whatweneedforreclamation)
B.A4.7.1StrengthinGeneral
Equation2definesfrictionalstrength...
=(N)Tan
(equation2)
Where
=shearstrength
N=normalstress
=porewaterpressure
=angleofinternalfriction
Frictionalstrengthdependsontwoparameters:effectivestress(normalstressminusporewater
pressure)and,whichisafunctionofthemineralgrainsurface,andthedensityofparticlepacking.The
porewaterpressureisimportantbecauseitcanreducetheeffectivestress.Liquefactionoccurswhen
theporewaterpressureoffsetsthenormalstressandthestrengthdropstozero.
Claysarerelativelyimpermeablesostrengthdependsonwhetherdrainagecanoccurornot.Equation3
describesthestrengthinclayunderdrainedconditions.
Drainedshearstrength:=C+(Nu)Tan(equation3)
Where,,andareasdefinedinequation2
C=cohesivestrengthindependentofnormalstress
Underrapidloading,theclaydoesnothavetimetodrain.Thentheundrainedshearstrengthapplies.It
isdeterminedinteststhatduplicaterapidloadingsuchasanunconfinedcompressiontest,avaneshear
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testorafallingconetest.
B.A4.7.2Thixotropy
Thixotropy is a strength gain that develops spontaneously with time in some weak clay soils. The
strengthgaincanbeanorderofmagnitude.(Suthakeret.al.,1997).Implication:theplotofstrengthvs.
weight%solidsindicatedbyFigureB.A4.7inthenextsectioncouldbeshiftedbyonelogcycle.
Thixotropicstrengthdisappearsifthesoilisremoulded.
B.A4.7.3Strengthoffinetails
Verylittleinformationisavailableonthestrengthoffluidtailingsandhowstrengthdevelopsaswateris
removed from MFT. Figure B.A4.7 shows the trend of undrained shear strength for fine tailings vs.
weight%solid.Asthesolidisclay,theweight%solidinFigureB.A4.7isequalto(clay/(clay+water)).
TheauthorderivedthetrendcurvefromanumberofsourcesreportingworkonSyncrudeMFT,soclay
willformmuchofthesolidsandwilldominatestrength(FineTailsFundamentalsConsortium,1995e).
Strengthattheleftsideofthefigureisreliablebecauseitwasderivedfromliquidandplasticlimits.
FigureB.A4.7Strengthvs.densityofMFT
Weight%clay
1000
100%90%80%70%60%50%40%30%20%
UndrainedshearstrengthkPa
Note:
Weight%water=
(water/(clay+water))
Target
Strength
100
Weight%clay=
(clay/(clay+water))
10
1
0.1
MFT
0.01
0.001
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
Weight%Water
Strength indicated in Figure B.A4.7 spans five orders of magnitude. The lower strengths represent
materialsthataremostlywater.Therethestrength,ifitcanbecalledstrength,isminiscule.Thefigure
alsoindicatesthestrengthassociatedwithMFTandthetargetforsolidwastedesiredforreclamation.A
lotofwatermustberemovedfromMFTbeforeitwillacquirethestrengthdesiredforreclamation.
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B.A4.7.4Strengthofsometailingsdeposits
TableB.A4.5indicatesthestrengthassociatedwithsomeknowntailingsdeposits.Itwasderivedfrom
Figure B.A4.7 and known concentrations of solids. Table B.A4.6 indicates the strength required for
differentapplications.Comparisonofthetwotablesrevealsahugegapbetweenthestrengthavailable
influidtailingstodayandthestrengthdesiredinaselfsupportingreclaimedmaterial.
TableB.A4.5Estimatedstrengthofvariousclay/finetailsstreams.
Parameter
Watercontent
Solidcontent
Undrained
Typeofmaterial
[(water/(fines+water)] [fines/(fines+water)]
ShearStrength
kPa
Normalplanteffluent
90%
10%
0.002
MFT
70%
30%
.005
Thickenerdischarge
70%
30%
.005
Centrifugecake
40%50%
60%
0.5
B.A4.7.5Strengthrequiredfordifferentapplications
TableB.A4.6Strengthrequiredfordifferentapplications.
Application
Liquidlimitwatercontentseparatingliquidfromplasticbehaviourofasoil.
Strengthrequiredfortransportofsoilinanopentruck
Strengthrequiredtotransportsoilonaconveyorwithaslopeof15degrees
Strengthrequiredtosupportapersonstandingonthesurface
Strengthrequiredtoconsideramaterialselfsupporting
Minimumstrengthrequiredforsubgradetosupportahaulroad
Plasticlimitwatercontentofasoilseparatingplasticfromsolidbehaviour
Requiredundrained
ShearStrength
(kPa)
1.7
5to10
10
10to50
50to100
170
AccordingtoFigureB.A4.7,theminimumdensity(measuredas[clay/(clay+water)]thatwillachievethe
targetstrengthforreclamationasasolidmaterialis72%.Aswasnotedpreviously,moreinformationis
neededonthistopic.
B.A4.7.6WaterremovalfromMFTrequiredtoachievethedesiredstrength
Figure B.A4.8 summarizes the behaviour of an MFT suspension, as water is removed and the solid
contentincreases.Dataplottedonthefigureinclude:
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1. Thesolidcontentincreasesfromlowvalueswithliquidlikepropertiesatthetopofthepageto
solidmaterialwithstrength,atthebottomofthepage.
2. Horizontalbarsacrossthepagerepresenttherelativeamountofwaterandsolidcorresponding
tothesolidorwatercontentindicated.
3. Themiddlecolumndescribesbehaviouroftheslurryasitprogressesfromaliquidtoasolid.
4. Thecolumnontherightdescribesmechanicalprocessesthatareusedtodensifymaterialslike
MFTandindicatestherangeofeffectivenessofeach.
5. ThecolumnontheleftshowsnaturalprocessesthatdensifyMFTsuspensions.Italsoindicates
thewatercontentofMFTandthetargetforsolidMFT.
FigureB.A4.8RelativevolumesofmineralsolidandwaterinMFT
SolidVolume
90%
OperatingRange
WaterVolume
10%
80%
70%
60%
40%
30%
20%
10%
Fluidproperties
govern
Hindered
Settling
50%
Sedimentation
processes
20%
Thickener
MFT
30%
40%
FreezeThaw
Drying
Hydroponic
Consolidation
Dryswelling
clayblend
MechanicalMethods
filterbelt
centrifuge
filterpress
50%
60%
70%
Bruteforcemethods
heating
Solidproperties
Govern
Zoneof
Interestfor
strengthin
reclamation
Transition
Startof
Soil
strength
Weight%Clay
Weight%Water
Gravity
Sedimentation
80%
90%
10
15
20
25
30
RelativeVolume(solidcomponent=1)
HorizontalbarsonFigureB.A3.8representthevoidratioofthematerial.Thevoidratioisdefinedasthe
volume of voids (or water) per unit volume of solid material. The top bar corresponds to suspended
solidsenteringatailingspond.Ithasasolidcontentof5%to10%andavoidratioof24.Thatmeans24
volumesofwaterforeachvolumeofsolidmaterial.
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MFTisshownwithasolidscontentof30%andavoidratioof6.
Thetargetmaterialforreclamationasasolidmaterialhasasolidcontentofabout70%andavoidratio
ofabout1.5.
MiddlecolumnBehaviourasMFTdensifies.
The middle column describes behaviour as a material changes from a dilute slurry to a strong, solid
material.Atthetopofthechartparticlesexperiencefreesettlinginwater.Thenextstateishindered
settling as particle spacing diminishes and particles interfere with each other. Finally, at about 30%
solidssettlingstopsbecauserepulsiveforcesbetweenparticlespreventadenserpacking.
30%solidscorrespondstoMFTwhereasoilskeletonandthebeginningsofsoilstrengthdevelop.
Withincreasingdensity,strengthdevelopsandthebehaviourprogressesfromliquid,toplastic,tosolid
behaviour.Theliquidandplasticlimitsdefinethewatercontentbetweenthosezones.
RightcolumnmechanicalprocessestodensifyMFT.
MechanicalprocessestodensifyMFTaredescribedinSectionB.10.3.
Mechanicalprocessesareoftenaidedbyprocessaidssuchascoagulantsandflocculantsthatchangethe
propertiesofthesoil.AdescriptionofprocessaidsisprovidedinSectionB.A4.7.7below.
LeftcolumnnaturalprocessestodensifyMFT
NaturalprocessestodensifyMFTarealsodescribedinSectionB.10.4.
Consolidation,oneofthenaturalprocessesisdescribedinsectionB.A4.6ofthisAppendix
B.A4.7.7Aboutcoagulantsandflocculatingagentsandstrength.
CoagulantschangetheequilibriumwatercontentofMFTbycollapsingthehaloofwateranddissolved
ionsthatsurroundeachclayparticle.Thecollapseiscausedby:
Anincreaseintheconcentrationofionspresentand/or
Anincreaseinthevalenceoftheionspresent(moreconcentratedchargeperunitvolume).
Flocculantschangethesurfacepropertiesoftheclayparticles,enhancingforcesofattractionthatlead
toadensermaterialinashortperiodoftime.
Some flocculating agents behave differently at different temperatures. (Li et.al., 2008) At high
temperatures(suchasthoseusedinextraction)theflocculatingagentagglomeratesparticles.Lateras
thedepositcoolstheflocculatingagentenhancesconsolidation.
Two stages of flocculation treatment are in common use in other industries such as coal processing.
(Raymond,2008)
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Superflocculatingagentsexistthatarecapableofcreatinghigherdensities.Theyareapproachedwith
cautionincasetheirpresenceinrecyclewateradverselyaffectsextraction(Gu,2009).
When coagulants or flocculating agents are added to MFT they change the soilwater interaction.
Collapsingthewaterhalothatsurroundsparticlesproducesfreewaterthatfacilitatespipelinetransport.
Areducedequilibriumwatercontentalsoresultsinareductionintheliquidlimit.Asaresulttherewill
beanincreaseinthesolidcontentassociatedwiththetargetstrengthdesiredforreclamation.
The relationship between clay water chemistry, effect on the liquid limit, and effect on the solids
contentrelatedtothetargetstrengthisimportantandrequiresstudy.
B.A4.7.8.Summaryonstrength
The minimum undrained shear strength for reclaiming MFT as a solid is 10 kPa. That is the strength
requiredtosupportamanstandingonsurface.
MFTismostlywater.Itisaveryweakmaterial.MuchofthewatermustberemovedbeforeMFTwill
acquirethestrengthdesiredforreclamation.
The Atterberg Limits Liquid and Plastic Limits accurately indicate the water content at the target
strength.
Strengthat lowsand/finesrationisdominated by clayandisrelatedtothe weightratio[clay/(clay+
water)]. Adding sand at low sand/fines ratios increases the volume and the density but not strength
unlessthe[clay/(clay+water)]ratioincreases.
Addingcoagulantsandflocculantschangestheequilibriumwatercontent,reducestheLiquidLimitand
raisesthesolidcontentassociatedwiththetargetstrengthforreclamation.
B.A4.8Measurement
B.A4.8.1Therelevanceofmeasurementinsoilproperties
Somesoilpropertiesarenotedbyobservation.However,manydependonmeasurementand
interpretationofresultsbytrainedprofessionals.
B.A4.8.2Characterizingclay
ClaypropertiescreatethesoilstructurethatcausesMFT.PartofthesolutiontoMFTliesinknowing
howmuchclayispresent,itscharacter,howitaffectsMFT,andhowtoreduceundesirableproperties.
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Avarietyoftestmethodscanprovideinsightintotheamountofclaypresentanditscharacter:
Grainsizeanalysis:indicatesthesizespresentandhence,theamountofclaysizedmaterialpresent.
Activity:isameasureoftheamountofclaypresentandtherelativestrengthofsurfaceforces
associatedwithit.Insoilmechanicspractice,activityisdefinedastheplasticityindexdividedbythe%of
solidsthatareclaysizedmaterial.(Skempton,1953).Activityisindicatedbyteststhatmeasuresurface
areaandthecationexchangecapacityofasoil.TheMethyleneBluetestiscommonlyusedinoilsands
practicetoindicateactivity.
Indextests:AtterbergLimits:identifythemoisturecontentatwhichmaterialpropertieschange.The
limitsarealsostrengthtests.Theundrainedshearstrengthis1.7kPaattheliquidlimitand170kPaat
theplasticlimit.Despitethevaluetogeotechnicalprofessionals,AtterbergLimitsarerarelyreported
intheliteratureonoilsands.
TheSodiumAdsorptionRatioisanotherusefulindicator.Itindicatesthetendencyofclaysoilstobehave
asdispersedsoilsleadingtoerosionandpoorperformanceinwaterretainingstructures.
Somechallengesinoilsandworkinclude
Bitumengetsintheway.Itspresenceandstepstoremoveitcanaltersurfaceproperties.
ClaylumpsmaynotdisperseinextractionandifsowillnotcontributetoMFTformation.
Standardtestprocedureshaveapreparationstepthatdispersesclayparticlesbeforeparticlesize
measurementsaremade.Thatdoesnotrepresentconditionsinextractionsomostoilsand
operatorsavoidusingdispersingagents.
Mostclaysamplescontainclaylumpstovaryingdegrees.Standardtestprocedures,usedtodetermine
theparticlesizedistributionofasample,dispersetheclaysbeforetheparticlesizeismeasured.The
samplesaredispersedsoresultswillberepeatablefromtesttotest.Otherwise,withvariable
dispersion,resultswillnotberepeatable.
Investigatingthebehaviourofparticlesinextractionvesselsisaseparateissuefromcharacterizingclays.
Theappropriatemethodtoexploreconditionsinextractioninvolvesadoubletest.Thefirsttestshould
characterizethesampleusingdispersants.Thesecondtestcanexploreconditionsinextractionby
testingwithoutdispersants.
Theneedsofsamplecharacterizationandexploringconditionsintheextractionplantarequite
different.Thoseneedsshouldbeevaluatedseparately.
B.A4.8.3Measuringparticlesizedistribution
FigureB.A4.9showsparticlesizedistributionofMFTmeasuredbytwotechniques.Thesolidcurve
representsmeasurementusingthesieveandhydrometertechnique.Thetechniquehaltssize
measurementataboutonemicronbecauseittakestoolongforfinergrainedmaterialtosettleout.The
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amountoffinermaterialisdeterminedbyweighingtheamountofmaterialstillinsuspension.Asa
resultthesampleshowsthat58%oftheparticlesizesareclaysizedand40%arefinerthanonemicron.
Theothercurverepresentsrapidmethodsthatareusedtomeasurethegrainsizedistribution.The
techniquesuselaserscatteringorelectricalinductancetechniquesinadiluteslurry.Theteststakemany
measurementsofparticlesizeandcomputethestatisticaldistributionofparticlesizes.Thetechnique
cangiveanaccurateindicationofthedistributionofgrainsizesbetweenthescanninglimitsofthe
equipment.Problemsarisewhenresultsareplottedonagrainsizeplot,suchasapercentfinerthan
plot,andthesizeatthelowerscanninglimitisartificiallysettozero.
FigureB.A4.9showsthetwograinsizedistributions.Theplotforthesievehydrometermethodshows
that58%ofthesampleisclaysizedmaterial.Thequickmethodshowsthat18%isclaysizedmateriala
70%error.Anexperiencedgeotechnicalengineerwouldexpectthematerialthatisplottedincorrectly,
tobehaveasasilt.Thesamepersonwouldexpectthematerialthatisplottedcorrectlytobehaveasa
clay.Thebehaviourofthetwomaterialsisverydifferent.
FigureB.A4.9GrainSizeDistributionofMFT
showingerrorwiththequickmethod
100%
90%
Sand
Size
Silt
Size
44u
Clay
Size
2u
PercentFiner
80%
CorrectPlot
(recognizes
additional
fine grained
material)
70%
60%
50%
IncorrectPlot
usingQuick
Method
40%
30%
70%Errorin
ClayContent
20%
10%
1000
100
10
0.1
Graindiameter(microns)
Someprojectsapparentlyknowhowmeasureandplotparticlesizedistributionscorrectly.Somedonot.
Theproblemdoesnotsignificantlyaffectoperationsintheextractionplant.However,ithasserious
implicationstounderstandingthepropertiesoffluidtailingsandestimatingtheirvolume.
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B.A4.8.4Characterizingsamplesusedinresearch
Considerableeffortisspentonresearchingcharacteristicsofoilsand.Unfortunately,therearemany,
manytypesofoilsand.Itisimpossibletoextrapolateresultsfromonesampletothenext,unlesssimple
indextestsshowthatthesampleshavesimilarcharacteristics.
Minimumindexingthatshouldaccompanyresearchincludes:
Theoriginofthesampleandprioractivitythatcouldaffectbehaviour,
Thegeologicalfaciesifthesamplewasobtainedfromundisturbedground,
Samplingtechniques,transportationandstoragebeforetesting.
Howthesamplewaspreparedfortesting,
Indextests:
o Naturalwatercontent,
o Unifiedsoilclassification,
o Colour,
o Bitumencontent,
o Representativegrainsizedistributionandmethodused,
o Claymineralogy(ifdetermined),
o MethyleneBlueIndex,
o Typeandconcentrationofionspresentintheporewater(andhowtheywere
extracted),
o pH,
o AtterbergLimits,
o SodiumAdsorptionRatio.
Morethanonesimpletestisneededtocharacterizeoilsand.
Indextestsprovideareferencesoresultscanbecomparedwithperformanceexperiencedelsewhere.
Withoutindextests,researcheffortsmaybewasted.
B.A3.9ClosureonSoilBehaviour
Soilpropertiesareanimportantpartofunderstandingtailingsandhowtomanagethemtoacondition
thatwillqualifyforatimelyreclamationcertificate.
Somekeyareasrequiringfurtherattention:
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StrengthrequirementsforreclaimedsolidMFTandhowtoachieveit;
Relationshipsbetweenundrainedshearstrength,AtterbergLimitsand[clay/(clay+water)];
Stepsrequiredtoachievethetargetstrengthintimeforclosure;
Howtotreatandreleasesurpluswater;
Somehow,induceindustrytodealwithkeyparametersthataffecttailingsnotablytheclay
content,howtomeasureit,andhowtoworkwiththosepropertiestoadvantage;
Abetterunderstandingoftheeffectofchemicaltreatmentonfullcycle(i.e.longterm)
propertiesofmaterial.Specifically,theeffectofcoagulantsandflocculantsontheLiquidLimit
andthecorrespondingeffectonthedensityrelatedtothetargetstrength.
Whatcanbedoneinextractiontoimprovethepropertiesoftailingswithoutcompromising
bitumenrecovery.
WeakforcefieldsintheclaywatersystemgiveMFTitsundesirableproperties.Thepotentialprizefor
findingasimpleprocesstoovercometheforcefieldsishuge.StockpilinghugeinventoriesofMFTwhile
ignoringthepresenceandroleofclaydoesnotsolvetheproblem.
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AppendixB.5SuggestedTailingsResearchGeneral
ThisAppendixlistssuggestedresearchtopicsforoilsandtailings.
RecommendationsforademonstrationcentrifugetestareprovidedinAppendixB.2
1
2
Mining
Effectof
processingon
dispersion
Extraction
Extraction
Extraction
Extraction
Extraction
Extraction
ValueandfeasibilityofselectiveminingtoreduceMFT
Factorscausingclaydispersion
Chemicaldispersingagents
Turbulentvsgentleconditioning
Timeintailingspond(assumeclaywillexfoliateandbecomefully
dispersedinthepond
Factorsthatenhancedispersionofclays,thepracticalityandcostbenefitof
reducingdispersionin:
Hydrotransport
Turbulentvs.gentleprocessing
o Effectofhydrocyclones
Useofdispersingagentsinextraction
o Arethereprocessaidsthatdonotdisperseclays
o Sideeffectsofprocessaids
E.g.foodforbacterialaction
Valueofknowinginstantaneousclaycontentandactivity:
Inextraction(e.g.chemicaldosage)
Intailingsmanagement
Meritsofaddingsandtothickeners:
Effectonthickenerperformance
Effectonthevolumeoffluidtailings
EffectonstrengthforS/Fratio<2
Characterizethedifferentstreamsinextraction
Clay
o Claycontent
o Claymineralogy
o Clayactivity
Heavyminerals
o Mineralspresent
o Concentrationofeach
Radioactiveminerals
o Mineralspresent
o Concentration
o Effectongeophysicalmonitoringtoolsusedtocharacterize
tailingsdeposits
Meritofkeepingtailingsstreamsfromextractionseparate(ifsomecontain
mostactiveclaysorundesirablecontaminants)
Thickeneroperation
Advantageofaddingsand
Clay/waterratioreasonablyachievable
Potentialforhigherdensityclay/waterratiowith
o Superflocagents
o Twostagefloctreatmentasusedinthecoalindustry
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Extraction
Discharge
10
Extraction
Discharge
11
Finescapture
12
Finescapture
13
Fluidtailings
14
Tailings
bitumen
Tailings
bitumen
Tailings
bitumen
Consolidation
15
16
17
Optimumsolidcontentfortailingsdischargeconsidering:
o Heatloss
o Enhancedfinescaptureinsandvoids
o MinimizingclayavailabletomakeMFT
Chemicaltreatment
o Enhancefinescaptureinsand
o ReducerepulsionforcesbetweenMFTparticles
Optimummethodofdensifyingplantdischarge
o Thickener
o Hydrocyclonetodewatersand
o Centrifuge
o Chemicaltreatment(coagulant)
Characterizefinescaptureinsandvoids
Siltandclaycontentandclayactivityvs.distancefromthetailings
dischargepoint
o Inconstructioncells
o Beachabovewater
o Beachbelowwater
o Enteringthetailingspond
DevelopasystemtomodelclaycaptureandavailabilitytomakeMFT
Determineoptimumfinescaptureinsanddepositsandhowtoachieveit
Avoidsomuchcapturethatthebeachassumesclayproperties
Chemicaltreatmentoptions
Tomaximizecontactbetweensolidparticles
Speedformationofastrongsoil
Enhancepermeabilityanddrainage
Causecontaminantstoprecipitateoutofsolution
Distributionofbitumenintailings:
Verifyconclusionsthatbitumenconcentratesinthepond
Characterizebitumeninthetailingspond
Suitabilityasupgraderfeed
Verifytheforecastbitumencontentofthetailingspondandthepotential
concentrationindensifiedMFT
Screenoptionstoenhanceconsolidationfines
Chemicaltreatmenttospeedsettlementoffines
Effectivenessofsystemstoreducethelengthofthedrainagepath
o Installsanddrains
o Installwickdrains
o Installcombinationdrains
Verticalwickdrains
Horizontalsandlayerstofeedthewickdrains
o Utilizedrainagepathsintroducedbyescapingbubbles
Addsurfacesurchargetospeedconsolidation
Inducebasaldrainagetodoubleappliedeffectivestress
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
Measurement
Properdeterminationoftheamountofclaysizedmaterialpresent
Researchthechallengeswithquickdeterminationofclaysized
materials
IdentifyandcorrectinappropriateproceduresindicatedinAppendix
B4
Instrumentation Developonlinemonitorstoshowinstantaneousmaterialbalance
componentsatthefollowinglocations:
Hydrotransport
PSVdischarge
Secondaryextractiondischarge
Frothtreatmentdischarge
Combinedtailings
Recordthefollowing
Weight%water
Weight%bitumen
Weight%sandandsilt
Weight%clay
Clayactivity
pH
majorionspresentinprocesswater
resistivity/conductivity
(theaboveinformationwillassistmeetingthenewERCBreporting
requirements).
Exploration
Makebetteruseofsurfacegeophysicstocharacterizeorebodies
Exploration
Makebetteruseofsurfacegeophysicstoidentifyweakzonesinthe
foundationsoilbelowtailingsdykes
Exploration
Rapidlyprofiletailingspondsusinggeophysicalprobes(withregular
calibrationagainstboreholes)toindicate:
Weight%water
Weight%solids
Weight%sandandsilt
Weight%clay
Bitumencontent
Clayactivity
pH
majorionspresentinwater
resistivity/conductivity
(RapidprofilingwillaidmeetingthenewERCBdirectiveonreporting
characteroftailings)
Asphaltenes
Explorethepotentialtoupgradeasphaltenestoamorevaluableproduct
e.g.microwavetreatmenttogeneratelightoil
Asphaltenes
Canasphaltenesbeconcentratedinthecurrentwastestreams
Asphaltenes
Explorestrengthpropertiesofdepositsthatcontainmorethan50%by
volumeasphaltenes
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
Water
treatment
Identifyrequirementsforwaterrelease:
potentialcontaminantspresent
qualityrequirementsforwaterrelease
treatmentoptionstoupgradewaterforrelease
optimumwatertreatmentprogram
Waterstorage
Screeningstudytodeterminethecostofstoringwateronsitevstreatand
releaseonanongoingbasis.
Dewatering
Appraiseoptionstoremovesurpluswaterfromsandbecauseitisprobably
sand
easiertodewatersandthanclay.
Hydrocyclonepotential
Gravitydrainagewithstackedsand
Ortnertreatment(AmericanAggregatesLtd.2009)
Removesolvent AppraisethepotentialofGradekEnergydevicetoremovesolventfrom
tailings
Recoveryefficiency
Effectonbacterialactivity
Extractbitumen AppraisethepotentialofR.JOilFieldjetpumptoremovingbitumenfrom
MFT.
Sethiguidelines AppraisethepotentialoftheSethiguidelinesfortailings
Processmustworkunderaerobicandanaerobicconditions
Bacteriashouldbeputinadormantcondition
Treatmentshouldbepermanent
CTtreatment
VerifychallengesassociatedwithCTprocessingtosolidifyMFT
Optimumsand/finesratiotoachievetimelysolidification
Targetstrengthandfeasibilityofachievingitinadefinedtime.
PracticalonlineefficiencyofCToperations
PermanenceofCTtreatment
Potentialproblemwithgypsumasasourceofbacterialfood.
CT
Relevanceofclaycontentandactivityontheuseofternarychartstoidentify
theappropriateCTmix
Strength
Identifythestrengthrequiredforamaterialtobeconsidereda:
Selfsupportingsolid
Trafficablesolid
Strength
Verifythetargetstrengthforreclamationminimum10kPa
Strength
Researchtherelationshipsbetween:
undrainedshearstrength
Solidcontent(clay)/(clay+water)
Strength
Studytheeffectofaddingcoagulantson:
AtterbergLimits
Targetsolidscontenttoachievereclamationstrengthgoals
Methane
Bacterialgenerationofmethane:
generation
Disclosemethanegeneratedperunitareaofthetailingspondsurface
Expecteddurationofmethanegeneration
39
Permanent
storageofMFT
underawater
cap
Feasibilityoftheconceptconsidering:
Mixingassociatedwithmethanegeneration
Challengetofindasuitablesiteneartheriverthatisnotawater
dischargezone
Lackofcriteriaforsiteselectionforpermanentstorageof
contaminatedliquidonsurface

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Part B Report

Oil Sand Tailings Technologies and Practices

Alberta Energy Research Institute

David W. Devenny PhD P Eng P Geol

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The Rock DoctorB.4Evolutionoftailingsandreclamationpractices

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Figure B.6 Regional MFT

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