EcoProf KZ, Karaganda, Kazakhstan

S. E-D. Arzakulova, Leading Specialist, s.arzakulova@ecoprofkz.kz
Ye. K. Taishibekova, Deputy Head of Department, PhD
D. E. Vydrin, Head of Department
I. U. Nurtakanova, Director, Doctoral Student

The article proposes a methodology for the comprehensive laboratory assessment of the stability of dust-suppressing coatings formed by applying chemical reagents to the surfaces of tailings storage facilities at mines. The methodology involves successive modeling of key operational loads intrinsic to dry beaches at tailings storage facilities, including wind, mechanical, hydraulic and temperature impacts. The testing sequence allows assessing initial strength and integrity of the coatings, dynamics of their degeneration, as well as accumulation of defects and alteration of their functional properties at each testing stage. The functional efficiency of the dust-suppressing coatings within the framework of the proposed approach is considered as a parameter dependent on the physical condition of a coating, degree of its disintegration and capability to preserve the dust-suppressing properties in case of partial structural damage at each stage of the tests. It is shown that some types of the coatings retain dust-suppressing capacity even when integrity is locally lost, which allows localized restoration measures to be implemented without the need for repeated full-scale treatment of tailings dam surfaces. The developed procedure features a diagnostic focus, as well as reproducibility and practical applicability under industrial operation conditions of tailings dams. As compared with other existing methods of lab-scale testing of coatings, this procedure takes into account climate, seasonal fluctuations, grain-size composition of tailings and technological restrictions of industrial application. The methodology is applicable to a comparative evaluation of efficiency of various chemical agents, as well as to a reasonable selection and optimization of dust-suppressing compositions and their usage modes at mining facilities.

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