SAFE DISPOSAL OF REACTIVE FLOTATION TAILINGS AND RETORTED FINES OF EASTERN OIL-SHALE BY AN AGGLOMERATION PROCESS

The agglomeration and encapsulation process has strong potential for safe disposal of reactive flotation tailings and retorted sands. The reactive materials are agglomerated with the addition of suitable binders using a disc pelletizer and encapsulated in glassy matrix with silicate sols. The cold bonded agglomerates are strong, stable and resistant to accelerated weathering. The application of an agglomeration process has inhibited the dissolution of most heavy metal ions from the waste materials. Strength and long term leaching propensity tests have shown that the agglomerates are excellent materials for reclamation and mine backfill. X-ray CT scan and scanning electron microscope energy dispersive X-ray (SEM-EDX) measurements have shown that the metal sulfides, such as reactive pyrites, are still intact in the agglomerate even after extensive weathering.