Effect of tailings properties on paste backfill performance

M. Fall*, M. Benzaazoua, S. Ouellet

University of Quebec in Abitibi-Temiscamingue, Canada
The increasing use of paste backfill in underground mining makes it necessary to quantify the effect of tailings properties, such as
physical and chemical properties, on the performance properties of cemented paste backfill (CPB). Hence, this paper presents the
results of an experimental investigation carried out to evaluate the influence of physical (tailings particle size and density) and
chemical properties (tailings sulphide content) of tailings on the performance properties of the paste backfill. The studied
performance properties included: mechanical and economical performance, water demand, pulp density and transportability. The
gained results have shown that the tailings fineness and density influence significantly the performance properties of paste backfill.
The sulphide content of the tailings has also significant effect on the performance of paste backfill. The results of this study will
contribute to better understand the behaviors of the paste backfill and optimize its mixtures.

1 INTRODUCTION
The use of paste technology for underground
backfill has been accepted as a cost-effective
alternative to rock and hydraulic backfill
worldwide in the mining industry. Its using is
extensive in Canadian underground hard rock
mines and follows an increasing trend as well as in
many parts of the world. The application of paste
backfill leads to a significant reduction of cyclical
nature of mining, improves ground conditions,
ensures the stability of the underground
excavations, speed up production and greatly
reduces environmental costs (Hassani and Bois,
1992). Additionally, paste backfill applications,
known to allow enhanced disposal of large
fractions of fine tailings that have traditionnaly
required permanent surface disposal and
management, offer other significant environmental
and cost benefits for mines (Archibald et al, 1998).
However, despite extensive use of this relatively
new technology, all effects of tailings properties on
paste backfill are not fully known. Only a few
works (Landriault et al. 1997, Benzaazoua et al.
2003; Fall and Benzaazoua 2003a, Kesimal et al.
2003) have shown that the tailings particle size can
influence the strength of the hardened paste
backfill. But these works only briefly described the
influence of tailings particle size on CPB uniaxial
compressive strength (UCS).
They had no information on the effect of tailings
particle size on all of the most important quality
criteria for backfill. They also did not account for
the influence of tailings density and sulphide
contents.
Hence, cooperative research studies were
conducted by the above authors with several

Canadian underground hard rock mines currently

using cemented paste backfill to investigate the
effect of the physical and chemical properties of
tailings on paste backfill as well as to optimize the
desliming of mill tailings. This paper presents the
results of the experimental part (Fall et al. 2004a)
of these research studies.
Thus, the main purpose of this experimental study
was to evaluate the influence of tailings fineness
and density on the performance properties of the
paste backfill, and to study the effect of the amount
of sulphide minerals contained in the tailing on the
quality of the paste backfill. The studied
performance properties included the strength, cost
and microstructure of the hardened paste backfill
and the water demand for the fresh paste backfill.
The reactivity of the sulphide minerals present in
the tailings was also evaluated.

2 EXPERIMENTAL PROGRAM
2.1 Materials
The materials used included: binder reagents
(Portland cement type I blended with Portland
cement type V in the ratio 50/50, and Portland
cement type I blended with Slag in the ratio 20/80),
waters (tap waters) and tailings. The tailings
materials used in this study were collected from
three mines in eastern Canada (Mines A, B and C).
Mine A is a gold mine and Mines B and C are
polymetallic. The sulphur content in tailings from
mine A (TA) is lower than 3 % and the tailings of
mine B (TB) and C (TC) contain respectively 15 %
and 26 % (in weight) sulphur (table 1). The
sulphur is mainly due to the presence of pyrite
(FeS2).

*Corresponding author: Dr. Mamadou Fall; URSTM University of Quebec in Abitibi-Temiscamingue; 445, boul. de 1
lUniversit, Rouyn-Noranda Qc, J9X 5E4 Canada; mamadou.fall@uqat.ca

Table 1. Main chemical elements present in the sampled tailings materials*

Element Al
Unit wt %
Tailings Mine A
TA-1
TA-2
TA-3
Tailings Mine B
TB
Tailings Mine C
TC

As

Bi

Ca

Si

Cu

Fe

Mg

Mn

Na

Pb

Zn

wt %

wt %

wt %

wt %

wt %

wt %

wt %

wt %

wt %

wt %

wt %

wt %

wt %

5.37
5.39
5.35

0.00
0.00
0.00

0.42
0.37
0.36

0.00
0.00
0.00

4.82
4.94
5.14

18.00
20.00
21.00

0.01
0.01
0.01

8.56
8.16
8.49

4.56
3.60
3.18

0.14
0.14
0.15

2.52
2.76
0.00

0.02
0.00
0.00

0.83
1.24
2.09

0.01
0.01
0.01

3.86

0.02

0.29

0.00

1.13

17.16

0.12

24.30

2.93

0.13

0.61

0.02

15.04

0.13

3.52

0.02

0.11

0.00

1.01

13.09

0.09

29.47

0.29

0.01

0.91

0.26

26.08

0.71

*Chemical composition determined by ICP ES analysis

proportion of fines. Tailings TB-1 to TB-5 are well

graded and have similar coefficients of uniformity
and curvature.
Decreasing the fines content
slightly leads to better graded tailings. Since the
density of tailings materials is strongly dependant
on the sulphur content (Brakebusch, 1994, Fall and
Benzaazoua,
2003b),
the desulphurization
(McLaughin and Stuparyk, 1994, Stuparyk et al.
1994, Leppinen et al., 1997, Benzaazoua et al.
2000, etc.) process was used to prepare tailings
materials with different densities. Desulphurisation
allowed us to create five different tailings (TB-5 to
TB-10) from the TB samples that differ only by
density (table 2). The sulphur content of the
prepared tailings TB-5, TB-6, TB-7, TB-8, TB-9,
TB-10, was respectively approximately 2 %, 6 %,
12 %, 18 % and 39 % (by weight).
100
90

Volume percent (cumulative)

To obtain tailings particle size distributions

belonging to coarse, medium and fine tailings, the
sampled tailings had to be reprocessed. This was
done by separation of TA by hydrocyclone and
sieving (elimination the coarse tailings particles)
and of TB and TC by hydrocyclone, creating
several grain size classes corresponding to fine,
medium and coarse tailings. The particle-size
distributions of the fabricated tailings are shown in
figure 1. Table 2 gives the physical characteristics
of the tailings used in this study. Analysis of the
particle size distributions of tailings TA-1 to TA-5
reveals that these latter had different uniformity
coefficients of between 7 and 18, different
proportions of fines and similar coefficients of
curvature. Based on both the coefficients of
uniformity and curvature, tailings TA-1 to TA-5,
these can be classified as well-graded tailings.
However, the coefficient of uniformity is strongly
influenced by the proportion of fines (table 2).
High proportions of fines leads to a more uniform
tailings particle size distribution, i.e. reduces the
grading of the tailings. Regarding the tailings TB1
to TB-5, the most significant differences between
the fabricated tailings samples are the

80
70
60
50
40
30

% Fine
80
75
70
60
55
50
45
40
30
25

20
10
0
0.01

0.1

10

100

1000

Grain size (m)

Figure 1. Particle size distribution of the tailings

materials used

Table 2. Physical properties of the sampled and fabricated tailings samples

t
(g/cm)
Tailings Mine A
TA-1
TA-2
TA-3
TA-4
TA-5
Tailings Mine B
TB
TB-1
TB-2
TB-3
TB-4
TB-5
TB-6
TB-7
TB-8
TB-9
TB-10
Tailings Mine C
TC
TC-1
TC-2

D10
(m)

D50
(m)

D60
(m)

D90
(m)

Cu

Cc

% Fine
(<20 m)

sampled
sampled
sampled
prepared
prepared

2.8
2.8
2.8
2.8
2.8

1.78
1.96
2.02
3.02
5.12

10.51
13.65
16.94
31.35
66.90

13.89
18.76
23.71
49.19
91.97

34.99
65.43
119.32
186.80
219.77

7.79
9.57
11.73
16.30
17.96

1.36
1.24
1.19
1.00
1.52

75
60
55
40
25

sampled
prepared
prepared
prepared
prepared
prepared
prepared
prepared
prepared
prepared
prepared

3.4
3.4
3.4
3.4
3.4
3.5
2.9
3.1
3.2
3.4
4.2

2.96
1.43
1.67
1.96
2.55
4.85
2.85
2.61
2.48
2.29
1.43

22.38
9.01
12.10
14.20
19.30
35.36
26.28
24.06
22.45
21.14
13.49

30.54
12.20
14.52
19.31
26.21
47.26
36.85
33.75
30.86
29.54
18.50

93.61
30.50
49.10
65.51
88.90
117.67
102.72
97.06
84.86
85.49
48.54

10.31
8.53
8.69
9.85
10.28
10.49
12.92
12.94
12.46
12.89
12.92

1.33
1.37
1.34
1.19
1.21
1.40
3.99
3.70
3.81
3.32
2.45

46
80
70
60
50
30
45
45
45
45
60

sampled
prepared
prepared

3.6
3.6
3.6

3.60
2.31
21.58

28.25
13.85
98.32

39.45
18.29
124.13

145.57
49.19
257.87

10.95
7.91
5.75

1.09
1.32
1.26

47
70
10

Cu: coefficient of uniformity; Cc coefficient of curvature; t: tailings density

2.2 Paste backfill mix proportions and

testing methods
The paste backfill mixtures, presented in table 3,
were prepared to study the effect of tailings
fineness on the properties of cemented paste
backfill (CPB). All of the cylinders were filled
with backfill material and some paste backfill
cylinders (mixes names with D termination; D
meaning drained) were punched at their bases to
study the effect of drainage according to tailings
fineness on porosity of the fresh paste backfill and
the consequence on the CPB properties. All of the
mixtures had a slump value of 18 cm or seven
inches. 120 paste backfill samples were produced
and the water demand (pulp density, W/C ratio)
necessary to reach a slump value of 18 cm was
evaluated. After

curing times of 14, 28, 56, 90 days, the uniaxial

compressible strength, the void index and total
porosity of each backfill sample were determined.
MIP-tests were done on paste backfill specimen
(after a curing times of 28 days) made from
tailings TA to evaluate the pore size distribution.
To study the effect of the tailings density on the
different properties (UCS, cost) of the cemented
paste backfill, the tailings TB-6 to TB-10 were
considered as base tailings for the backfill
mixtures. The latter differed only by their densities
(except of TB-10, which is slightly finer). The
rinsing of the tailings materials (with tap water)
flushed out the sulphate present in the tailings.
These tailings were used to make about 40 paste
backfill specimen with blended cements PCI/PCV
and PCI/Slag ratios as given in table 4. The UCS
of the paste backfill samples at different curing
times (28 and 90 days) and binder consumption
expressed in % volume as well as the
corresponding binder costs were evaluated.

Table 3. Mix design for evaluation of the effect of tailings fineness on paste backfill properties (Fall et al. 2004a)
Mixes name
MTA-1-V
MTA-2-V
MTA-3-V
MTA-4-V
MTA-5-V
MTA-1-S
MTA-2-S
MTA-3-S
MTA-4-S
MTA-5-S

Types
PCI / PCV
PCI / PCV
PCI / PCV
PCI / PCV
PCI / PCV
PCI / Slag
PCI / Slag
PCI / Slag
PCI / Slag
PCI / Slag

Binder
Ratio
50/50
50/50
50/50
50/50
50/50
20/80
20/80
20/80
20/80
20/80

% wt
4.5
4.5
4.5
4.5
4.5
4.5
4.5
4.5
4.5
4.5

Name
TA-1
TA-2
TA-3
TA-4
TA-5
TA-1
TA-2
TA-3
TA-4
TA-5

Tailings
density
2.8
2.8
2.8
2.8
2.8
2.8
2.8
2.8
2.8
2.8

% fine
75
60
55
40
25
75
60
55
40
25

MTA-1-V-D
MTA-3-V-D
MTA-5-V-D
MTA-1-S-D
MTA-3-S-D
MTA-5-S-D

PCI / PCV
PCI / PCV
PCI / PCV
PCI / Slag
PCI / Slag
PCI / Slag

MTB-1
MTB-2
MTB-3
MTB-4
MTB-5

PCI / Slag
PCI / Slag
PCI / Slag
PCI / Slag
PCI / Slag

Tap water
Tap water
Tap water
Tap water
Tap water
Tap water
Tap water
Tap water
Tap water
Tap water

Slump
(cm)
18
18
18
18
18
18
18
18
18
18

50/50
50/50
50/50
20/80
20/80
20/80

4.5
4.5
4.5
4.5
4.5
4.5

TA-1
TA-3
TA-5
TA-1
TA-3
TA-5

2.8
2.8
2.8
2.8
2.8
2.8

75
55
25
75
55
25

Tap water
Tap water
Tap water
Tap water
Tap water
Tap water

18
18
18
18
18
18

20/80
20/80
20/80
20/80
20/80

4.5
4.5
4.5
4.5
4.5

TB-1
TB-2
TB-3
TB-4
TB-5

80
70
60
50
30

Tap water
Tap water
Tap water
Tap water
Tap water

18
18
18
18
18

3.4
3.4
3.4
3.4
3.5

Mixing water

*Chemical composition determined by ICP ES analysis

Table 4. Mix design for evaluation of the effect of tailings density on paste backfill properties
Mixes name
MTB-6
MTB-7
MTB-8
MTB-9
MTB-10
MTB-6
MTB-7
MTB-8
MTB-9
MTB-10

Types
PCI / PCV
PCI / PCV
PCI / PCV
PCI / PCV
PCI / PCV
PCI / PCV
PCI / Slag
PCI / Slag
PCI / Slag
PCI / Slag

Binder
Ratio
50/50
50/50
50/50
50/50
50/50
50/50
20/80
20/80
20/80
20/80

% wt
4.5
4.5
4.5
4.5
4.5
4.5
4.5
4.5
4.5
4.5

To study the effect of the tailings sulphur content

on paste backfill properties (strength, durability)
and the reactivity of the sulphide minerals within
the non cemented tailings and the cemented paste
backfill, the tailings TB-11 to TB-14 containing
different amounts of sulphur (2%, 6%, 12%, 18%,
39%) were used to made backfill specimen with
blended cements PCI/PCV and PCI/Slag ratios as
given in table 5, as well as to fabricate specimen
only made from tailings material with different
sulphur and degrees of water saturation.

Name
TB-6
TB-7
TB-8
TB-9
TB-10
TB-6
TB-7
TB-8
TB-9
TB-10

Tailings
density
2.9
3.1
3.2
3.4
4.2
2.9
3.1
3.2
3.4
4.2

% fine
45
45
45
45
60
45
45
45
45
60

Mixing water

Slump (cm)

Tap water
Tap water
Tap water
Tap water
Tap water
Tap water
Tap water
Tap water
Tap water
Tap water

18
18
18
18
18
18
18
18
18
18

The UCS of the paste backfill samples at different

curing times (28 and 90 days) and binder
consumption expressed in % volume as well as the
corresponding binder costs were evaluated.
Oxygen consumption tests (Elberling et al. 1994,
Elberling et Nicholson 1996) were performed on
both paste backfill specimens and non cemented
tailings specimens to evaluate the reactivity of the
sulphide minerals (pyrite) within these specimens.
The experimental program for the oxygen
consumption tests carried is described in detail in
Ouellet et al. 2003 and Benzaazoua et al. 2003a.

Table 5. Mix design for evaluation of the effect of tailings sulphur content on paste backfill properties, and
of the reactivity of the sulphide minerals within the paste backfill
Mixes name
MTB-11
MTB-12
MTB-13
MTB-14
MTB-15
MTB-16
MTB-17
MTB-18
MTB-19
MTB-20

Types
PCI / PCV
PCI / PCV
PCI / PCV
PCI / PCV
PCI / PCV
PCI / PCV
PCI / Slag
PCI / Slag
PCI / Slag
PCI / Slag

Binder
Ratio
50/50
50/50
50/50
50/50
50/50
50/50
20/80
20/80
20/80
20/80

% wt
4.5
4.5
4.5
4.5
4.5
4.5
4.5
4.5
4.5
4.5

Name
TB-11
TB-12
TB-13
TB-14
TB-15
TB-16
TB-17
TB-18
TB-19
TB-20

3 RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS

3.1 Effect of physical properties of tailings
on paste backfill performance
3.1.1 Effect of tailings fineness
microstructure of paste backfill

on

the

The main results of the effect of tailings fineness

on the microstructure of paste backfill are
presented in figure 2 to 3. From this figure, it is
clear that the proportion of fine tailings (<20m),
i.e., the fineness of the tailings materials used in
the sample mixture strongly influence both the
overall porosity of the cemented backfill material
(figure 2) and the pore size distribution within it
(figures 2-3). The finer the tailings material used,
i.e., the greater the proportion of fine tailings
particles, the greater the overall porosity of the
backfill becomes. Figure 2 shows that the total
porosity of all of the paste backfill samples
decreases as the proportion of fine particles (<
20m) in the tailings material decrease. However,
the extent of the porosity decrease is variable, i.e.,
depends on fines content. The decrease in porosity
with the decrease in the fines content is greater for
paste backfill made of fine (fines < 60%) or
medium (fines: 60-35%) tailings than those made
from coarse tailings. Figure 2 shows also the
microstructure (total porosity and void ratio) of the
paste material is strongly influenced by the
drainage ability of the fresh backfill. The drained
paste backfill samples

Tailings
density % fine % sulphur
2.9
45
2
3.1
45
6
3.2
45
12
3.4
45
18
4.2
60
39
45
2.9
2
3.1
45
6
3.2
45
12
3.4
45
18
4.2
60
39

Mixing water

Slump (cm)

Tap water
Tap water
Tap water
Tap water
Tap water
Tap water
Tap water
Tap water
Tap water
Tap water

18
18
18
18
18
18
18
18
18
18

show both less porosity and smaller void ratios. As

shown in Benzaazoua et al. (2003), paste backfill
mixes made from coarse tailings (MTA-5-V-D or
MTA-5-s-D) loose more water (by drainage) than
those made from fine tailings material (case of
MTA-1-V-D or MTA-5-S-D). This water loss
leads to the settling of the paste backfill (increasing
of the packing density) and the consequent
reduction of total porosity and void ratio of the
backfill material. These observations are in
substantial agreement with earlier experimental
investigations about CPB drainage ability
performed by Belem et al. (2002). Figure 3 also
shows that the paste backfill specimens are
characterized by two distinct pore size
distributions, notably pore diameters between 0.05
- 1m and pore diameters between 1-10 m. The
contribution of pore diameters smaller than 0.05
m or greater than 10 m to overall porosity is
low. The distribution of the two main pore
diameters is significantly influenced by the
proportions of fine tailings particles. While the
pore diameters between 0.05 and 1m are
relatively well represented in the samples made
from fine and medium tailings, their volume is
small in backfill samples made from coarse tailings
(figure 3). Indeed, it can be observed in figures 3,
that decreasing of proportion of fines in the tailings
is associated with a decreasing of the volumes of
pores with diameter smaller than 1 m (figure 3).
The volume of macropores > 1 m is greatest in
paste backfill samples made from tailings
containing only 25 % of fines particles (coarse
tailings). This may have effect on paste backfill
strength gain.

56%

1.3

58%

1.1

56%
54%
52%

1.00

50%
48%

0.80
0.60
0.40
30

40

50
% Fine

60

70

52%

50%

0.9
48%
0.8
46%

0.7

46%

0.6

44%

44%

0.5

42%

42%

0.4

40%
20

54%

n-28 days-P CI/Slag

Porosity (n)

1.20

e-28 days-P CI/Slag

1.2

Void ratio (e)

1.40
Void ratio (e)

60%

e-28 days-PCI/PCV
e-28 days-PCI/Slag
e-28 days-PCI/PCV-drained
e-28 days-PCI/Slag-drained
n-28 days-PCI/PCV
n-28 days-PCI/Slag
n-28 days-PCI/PCV-drained
n-28 days-PCI/Slag -drained

Porosity (n)

1.60

40%
20

30

40

50

80

60

70

80

90

% Fine

(a)

(b)

Figure 2. Effect of tailings fineness on void ratio and total porosity on paste backfill samples made from
tailings TA (a) and TB (b) (after 28 days curing). (Fall et al. 2004a)
10

10

% Fine

% Fine
8

60%

0
0.001

40%

75%

0.01

0.1
1
10
Pore diameter (m)

100

0
0.001

1000

0.01

0.1
1
10
Pore diameter (m)

100

1000

10

10

% Fine

% Fine
8

25%

55%
6

0
0.001

0.01

0.1

Pore diameter (m)

10

100

1000

0
0.001

0.01

0.1

10

100

1000

Pore diameter (m

Figure 3. Effect of tailings fineness on pore size distribution of paste backfill specimens cemented with
PCI/PCV after 28 days of curing (tailings sample TA).
reached, at which point it remains constant (figure
4a) or begins to slowly decrease (figure 4b) with
3.1.2 Effect of tailings fineness on paste
decreasing grain fineness. These observations can
backfill strength development
be attributed to the influence of the tailings
fineness on the overall porosity of the paste
Figure 4 show the compressive strength
backfill as well as to the effect on the pore size
development of the paste backfill related to the size
distribution within it (figures 2-3), and to the
of the tailings fineness. It points out that the
influence of the tailings particle size on the specific
proportion of fines (< 20 m) in the tailings
surface of the tailings material.
materials has a strong influence on the strength
Indeed, from a fines content of 60-90 wt. % to
gain of the CPB. It can also be noted that coarse
coarse tailings with a fines content of 25 and 35
and medium tailings are more favorable for paste
wt. %, there is a grading improvement of the
backfill strength gain. A CPB made of fine tailings
tailings particle sizes distribution (table 2 and
generates lower strength. Figure 4 also indicates
figure 1). This leads to a decrease of the void
that, for the undrained paste backfill samples, the
spaces between the tailings particles and
UCS increases as the grain fineness decreases until
consequently, to lower porosities or void spaces
approximately 35-55 % of the fines content was
within paste backfill as shown in figure 2. This

fact, that for a given W/C, the volume of void

spaces between the tailings particles to be filled by
the cement hydration product is smaller in the
paste backfill specimens made from coarser
tailings (lower porosity) than those made from
finer tailings material.
1400

PCI/PCV PCI/Slag PCI/PCV PCI/Slag PCI/PCV PCI/Slag PCI/PCV PCI/Slag -

1200

14 days
14 days
28 days
28 days
56 days
56 days
28 days (drained)
28 days (drained)

1000

UCS (kPa)

800

600

400

200
Mine A : Gold tailing

0
20

30

40

50
% Fine

60

70

80

(a)
2500
UCS 28 days-PCI/Slag
UCS 90 days-PCI/Slag

2000

UCS (k P a)

decreasing porosity or void spaces thus causes an

increase in paste backfill strength. However,
decreasing the porosity of the backfill with a
decrease in the proportions of the fines tailings
particles (< 20 m) is not the only parameter
responsible for the variation in backfill strength.
Indeed, it can not explain the slight decrease of
backfill strength for a fines proportion of 30-25 %.
Analysis of figure 3 shows that the pore size
distribution within the paste backfill, particularly
the proportions of macropores with diameter
between 1-10 m, seems to play a significant role
in the strength gain of paste backfill. As observed
in figure 3 and 4, at 25 % fines content, the
proportions of macropores 1-10 m within the
paste backfill increases drastically. This higher
proportion of macropores (1-10 m) may have
caused the small decrease of the strength for paste
backfill made from coarse tailings (25 % fines)
compared to backfill specimens made from tailings
containing 50 to 40 % fines particles. Thus, it can
be concluded that not only does the overall
porosity influence the strength of the paste backfill,
but the pore size distribution, which is largely
governed by the proportions of fine particles
present in the tailings material, also plays a
decisive role in the strength development of the
cemented backfill.
In addition to the effect of overall porosity and
pore size distribution on the backfill strength gain,
the finer particles increase the specific surface of
the tailings materials and thus increase the surface
area that must be cemented, since the cement coats
the surface of the tailings particles. This also
contributes to strength decrease of the paste
backfill (figure 4, Fall et al. 2004a) with increased
tailings fineness.
From figure 4a, it can be observed that the drained
paste backfill samples show higher strength than
the undrained samples. This may be attributed to
the fact that drainage of the excess water in the
fresh paste backfill leads to the settling of and
higher packing density of the backfill. This causes
a reduction in the total porosity and void ratio of
the backfill material and consequently, to higher
strength. Additionally, the drainage of the excess
water affects positively the cement hydration
(Benzaazoua et al. 2003b).
From figure 4, it can also be clearly seen that the
fineness of the tailings strongly influences the rate
of backfill strength gain at early stage (up to 28
days curing). Paste backfill mixes made from
coarse tailings (low proportion of fines) gain
strength faster than those made from fine tailings
(high proportion of fines). This is caused by the

1500

1000

500
M ine B : Polymetallic tailing

0
20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

% Fine

(b)
Figure 4. Effect of proportion of fines in the
tailing on strength development of cemented paste
backfill

3.1.3 Effect of tailings fineness on water

requirement of the fresh paste backfill
Figure 5 shows the effect of the tailings fineness
on the water/cement ratio and pulp density of
cemented paste backfill. It can be noted that W/C
of the paste backfill increases with the grain
fineness of the CPB. For a given slump, the pulp
density of the CPB decreases as the fineness of the
tailings increases. This means fine tailings require
more water for a given consistency than medium
and coarse tailings. The influence of tailings
particle size on water demand comes from the fact
that the cement paste in its function as an adhesive,
coats the surface of all tailings particles. Finer
particles mean that there is more surface area to be

wetted, which in turn yields both higher moisture

levels and lower densities for a given consistency.
Additionally, since the overall porosity and void
ratio of the paste backfill decreases from fine to
coarse tailings, for a given total weight of tailings
and cement, coarse tailings require less water than
medium or fine tailings to reach the same
consistency or pulp density. The comparison of
figure 4 and 5 indicates that the optimal W/C ratio
to produce paste backfill with high strength is
dependent on the fineness of the used tailings
materials.

16
14

W/C

12

weight). This increasing in UCS with the tailings

density is due to higher binder consumption in
volume, as shown in figure 7. The latter puts into
relief that, the higher the density of the tailings, the
higher the binder consumption (in volume), i.e. the
more expensive the backfill becomes. These results
clearly demonstrate that the evaluation of the
binder content of the CPB by weight percent, as
commonly used in the mining industry does not
show the real binder consumption of the paste
backfill, in cases where the density of the mill
tailings strongly vary. They also demonstrate the
economic significance of using tailings with low
sulphide content (tailings sulphide content can be
reduced by desulphurization) for paste backfill
design, since high sulphide contents lead to higher
tailings density and consequently, to more
expensive paste backfill.

10
8

UCS 28 days -PCI/PCV

UCS 28 days -PCI/Slag

UCS 56 days -PCI/PCV

UCS 56 days -PCI/Slag

2500

M ine A - PCI/PCV

M ine A- P CI/Slag
2000

M ine B -P CI/Slag

20

40

60

80

100

% Fine

UCS (kPa)

4
1500

1000

(a)
500

80

0
2.8

78

3.2

3.4

3.6

3.8

4.0

4.2

4.4

Tailings specific gravity (Gs)

76

Figure 6. Effect of tailings density on UCS of on

paste backfill samples made from TB (4.5 %,
binder content by weight)

74
72
70
68
M ine A - P CI/P CV

6.5

30.0

64

M ine A- PCI/Slag

% vol. PCI/PCV

62

M ine B -PCI/Slag

% vol. PCI/Slag

60
20

40

60

80

100

% Fine

(b)
Figure 5. Influence of fine content on W/C ratio
and pulp density of the fresh paste backfill (binder
content 4.5 %) for a slump of 18 cm

6.0

PCI/PCV-Cost

25.0

PCI/Slag-Cost
5.5
20.0
5.0
15.0
4.5
10.0

4.0

3.5

3.1.4 Effect of tailings density on strength and

binder consumption of the paste backfill
Figure 6 shows that, for a given curing time, there
is a relationship between the strength and the
density of the tailings materials used. It can be
observed that increasing of the tailings density
(from Gs = 3.2) gives the paste backfill a higher
strength for the same binder proportion (4.5% in

Binder cost ($/m)

66

binder consumption (% volume)

Pulp density (%)

3.0

5.0
2.8

3.0

3.2

3.4

3.6

3.8

4.0

4.2

Tailings density (g/cm)

Figure 7. Relation of binder consumption and cost

of the paste backfill (TB used) to density of the
used tailings (4.5 %, binder content by weight)
(Fall et al. 2004a)

3.2 Effect of chemical properties of tailings

on paste backfill performance
The results of the effect of tailings sulphur content
on paste backfill performance properties have
shown that the sulphur has double effect (physical
and chemical effect) on paste backfill properties.
The first effect is physical. Indeed, increasing of
the sulphur content in the tailings give the latter
higher density. This leads to paste backfill with
higher strength (figure 8) due to the higher binder
consumption in volume.

high water saturation limits the diffusion of oxygen

through the cement matrix and consequently its
availability for oxidation reactions. Figure 10 puts
in relief the relationship between the degree of
water saturation and the sulphide reactivity in non
cemented tailings. It can be observed, that at high
water saturation (Sr.>85 %), the reactivity of the
sulphides mineral in the non cemented tailings
become as low as in cemented paste backfill.
2 % sulphur
18 % sulphur

6 % sulphur
39 % sulphur

12 % sulphur

70

350

3.5

300

250

2.5

200

150

1.5

100
50

UCS 14 days

UCS 28 days

UCS 56 days

UCS 120 days

1
0.5

Density

0
2

12
18
% w t Sulphur

39

Figure 8. Effect tailings sulphur content (in weight

percent) on the tailings density and strength
development of paste backfill (cemented with PC
I/PC V in the ratio 50/50).

The second effect is chemical. As shown in figure

8, high sulphur content (39 % sulphur) in the paste
backfill leads after 120 days to strength loss of the
paste backfill. This is caused by sulphate attack.
This raised the following question: Is the sulphides
oxidation within the cemented paste backfill
possible? The results of oxygen consumption tests
(Benzaazoua et al. 2003a, Ouellet et al. 2003)
(figure 9 and 10) bring some elements of response
to this question. Indeed, figure 9, which represents
the oxygen consumption (ie reactivity of the
sulphide minerals in CPB) of cemented paste
backfill, shows that the amount of consumed
oxygen depends on the sulphur content, and the
reactivity of the paste backfill specimens (except
CPB made from tailings with 39% sulphur) does
not significantly increase after 28 days of curing
time. The reactivity of the sulphide minerals in the
cemented paste backfill are low compared to this in
the non cemented tailings (figure 10). This low
reactivity can be attributed to the fact, that the
cemented paste backfill is water saturated. This

mol O2/m2/year

400

50
40
30
20
10
0

18

28

Time (days)

46

62

Figure 9. Oxygen consumption of the paste backfill

cemented with PCI/PCV in the time related to the
sulphur content of the tailing.
10000
2% sulphur
6% sulphur
12% sulphur

1000

18% sulphur
39% sulphur

4.5

Mole O2/m /year

450

Tailings density (g/cm)

UCS (kPa)

60

100

10

1
30

50

Sr (%)

70

90

Figure 10. Oxygen consumption of the non cemented

tailings related to their degree of saturation (Sr).

4 CONCLUSIONS
The objective of this study was to study the effects
of the physical properties (particle size and
density) and chemical properties (sulfur content) of
tailings on the performance properties of cemented
paste backfill. The presented results have shown
that the tailings particle size and density has a
considerable effect on the properties (strength,
cost, water demand, microstructure) of the paste
backfill. It was demonstrated that the tailings
particle size, particularly the proportions of fines
tailings particles (< 20 m) significantly affect the
porosity of the paste backfill and the pore size
distribution within it, its water drainage ability and
consequently, its strength development and the

water requirement for a given consistency. It was

also shown that not only does the overall porosity
influence the strength of the paste backfill, but the
pore size distribution plays a decisive role in the
strength development of the cemented backfill.
The paste backfill water demand increases with the
fineness of the tailings material used. Increasing
the tailings density is associated with
volumetrically higher binder consumption, i.e.
more expensive backfill. In general, higher binder
consumption gives the paste backfill higher
strength.
It has been demonstrated that higher sulfur
contents in the tailings increases tailings density
and consequently give the cemented paste backfill
higher strength. This increased strength is caused
by a higher binder consumption. However, high
sulfur content can lead to strength loss of cemented
paste backfill trough sulphate attack. This sulphate
comes principally from the oxidation of the
sulphide minerals in the non cemented tailings.
This work brings new light on the effect of tailings
on CPB properties that can contribute to better
optimization of paste backfill mixtures and to a
better understanding of the behavior of cemented
paste backfill. Additionally, these experimental
results agree well with those of modeling of the
effect of paste backfill components on its
properties (Fall and Benzaazoua 2003a, Fall and
Benzaazoua 2003b, Fall and Benzaazoua 2004a).
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Acknowledgments
The authors would like to thank the Institut de
Recherche Robert-Sauv en sant et en scurit du
travail (IRSST) and the Fundation of the University of
Quebec in Abitibi-Tmiscamingue (FUQAT) for
financial supporting of this research. We would like also
to thank all technicians (particularly Hugues Bordeleau)
and chemists of URSTM for undertaking the
mechanical and physico-chemical tests.

11