Filtration of Tailings with BoVac Disc Filters - Mining

Tailings are the unavoidable by-product of extracting minerals and metals, and they are becoming an increasingly challenging issue. This is due to the decreasing concentrations of valuable materials in mining products, which results in more waste being produced. Safe and sustainable storage of this waste is a major concern. The question, then, is what to do with tailings.

Traditionally, tailings slurries are stored in large-scale tailings storage. However, this method has several disadvantages. Firstly, the contained process water, which is becoming increasingly important for mining companies, evaporates. Secondly, tailings ponds can pose a considerable safety risk: a dam failure can lead to catastrophic consequences for ecosystems. In combination with increasing pressure from investors, mining companies are now more than ever required to find innovative solutions for dealing with tailings. This is precisely where filtration comes into play.