The mining industry has a growing interest in evaluating preconcentration (e.g. ore sorting) and commingled tailings as separate innovations, yet both are often constrained by conventional flow sheet design and project evaluation methods. When implemented early in the value chain, ore sorting can reject low-grade or deleterious material before milling, reduce plant capacity requirements, energy and water consumption, as well as reagent use.
Commingled tailings and rockfill technologies, in turn, can improve the physical and chemical performance of tailings deposits, enhance underground rockfill quality, and reduce long-term geotechnical and environmental risks.
