Engineering Properties of Mine Tailings

The engineering properties of tailings from nine mines are summarized to demonstrate that these are good engineering materials. Such properties as gradation, specific gravity, mineral content, laboratory maximum and minimum density, in-place density and moisture, permeability, triaxial shear data, and one-dimensional compression data are presented in graphical and tabular form. Presented is an example of tailings usage in constructing a 4-mile section of Interstate 90 near Kellogg, Idaho, proving that tailings can be used to construct a modern high-capacity freeway. The theoretical design of a small earth dam is also given as an example that tailings could be used to build a dam with adequate factors of safety. It is strongly felt that the material properties presented will promote interest in the employment of mill tailings in future construction projects for both structural and environmental reasons.