901 cyclone sand. Alternative production and transport Trials were conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of producing sands for dam construction from a tailing that is high in clay and has struggled to achieve the required sand properties. The plan was to take sand from a cyclone underflow and feed it to a dewatering screen, underflow from the screen would be in turn cyclone again with the underflow returning to the screen and the overflow returned to the tailings dam. Dewatering screen The screen selected (LH0918-1) is a linear motion horizontal single deck screen designed for dewatering. The ultra fine screen decks were selected with a focus to remove fine particles and water. Dewatering screens are an energy-efficient technology with intrinsic classification and dewatering properties. The cut size is less affected by feed conditions for removing water from the structural zones of the ore. The mesh profile used in the trial test was 32% for 0.8 mm mesh and 68% for 0.3 mm mesh. Figure No. 2 shows the mesh distribution. Figure 2 – Dewatering screen Methodology and Pilot Plant The validation methodology begins with laboratory testing of 5 kg samples to confirm whether clay removal is possible through dewatering tests at different mesh sizes: 150 µm, 212 µm, 300 µm, or 500 µm. After confirming clay removal and a high probability of successful dewatering, a 40 kg semi-pilot test is conducted under varying conditions of screen opening, time, percentage of open area, amplitude, and dilution percentage. During the semi-pilot test, the metallurgical and geotechnical moisture content, mass recovery in the oversize material, and the removal of ultrafine material (less than 20 µm) and clay percentage are determined. Based on this target data, detailed engineering is performed for a 50 tph pilot plant, including dilution systems, classification screens, dewatering hydrocyclones, and recirculation pumps. The pilot plant has sampling and maintenance systems to be tested under different operating
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