Design of paste tailings disposal in the Russian Sub-Arctic

The Julietta Gold Project is a proposed gold mine in the Magadan Province of eastern Russia. The project, a joint venture of Russian and Canadian interests, proposes to use paste for the surface tailings disposal system for the mine. The paste would be deposited on surface when it is not being used as backfill for-the underground operation. Approximately 45% of the tailings would be:used underground as paste backfill while the remainder would be disposed of on surface at a slurry density of approximately 75%. The use of the paste underground and on surface reduces the disposal area by over 75% compared to a conventional disposal facility and reduces the environmental impact at the site as the low moisture content of the tailings will allow them to freeze as placement proceeds. The economics of the underground operation are improved with the use of paste backfill and the economics on surface are improved with the smaller disposal area. This paper discusses the feasibility study for the surface disposal of the tailings.