A review on influential parameters on the strength of cemented paste backfill (CPB)-Part I

Mining industry is always developing because of need for raw minerals to produce tools and material for human daily life. Underground mines are increasing in number, and older ones are targeting deeper levels for economic minerals. Safety requirement for working environment in underground and environmental policies prompted mining companies use mine wastes with different binders and methods to backfill created voids and stopes underground. Backfilling increases safety in underground for excavating remaining economic minerals, and going deeper and decreases environment pollution by dumping chemically toxic wastes underground. Cemented paste backfill (CPB) technology is one of the backfilling methods that use mine tailings, different binders and water to obtain durable and stiff materials for filling stopes. Different internal and external factors can impact CPB behavior and strength. In papers part I and II, some of influent factors on CPB strength and behavior are reviewed. In part I, binder type and ratio, water content and chemistry, and tailing fineness impact on CPB strength and behavior are discussed and reviewed. Some of conclusions that were implied in this part of paper can be described as follow. Increase of binder ratio in any water content and different tailing increases strength parameter of CPB. Higher water content than usual in any cement ratio and different tailing material reduces the strength of CPB. Sulphate content in pore water can cause sulphate attack in CPB and change CPB strength in different dosages, contrarily. Fine and coarse tailings and their percentage variation, significantly change CPB strength by different scenarios. © 2015 ejge.