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PRELIMINARY INVESTIGATION OF THE EFFECT OF TEMPERATURE AND SALINITY ON THE RHEOLOGICAL PROPERTIES OF FRESH CEMENTED PASTE BACKFILLS

Session: Mining Geotechnique II / Géotechnique minière II

Kayumba Kalonji, UQAT/RIME (Canada)
Mamert Mbonimpa, UQAT/RIME (Canada)
Tikou BELEM, UQAT/RIME (Canada)
Mostafa BENZAAZOUA, UQAT/RIME (Canada)
Fabrice BEYA, UQAT/IRME (Canada)
Serge OUELLET, Agnico-Eagle Mines Limited (Canada)

Underground backfilling under cold climate conditions in permafrost, factors such as saline water and low temperatures must be taken into account during the design process of the hydraulic transport and distribution system of cemented paste backfill (CPB). The impact of these factors on the rheological properties of CPBs must be carefully characterized in the laboratory. This study examines the effect of temperature (2 to 45°C) and salinity of the mixing water (0 and 5 g/L) on the rheological properties of uncemented tailings and CBP with 5% HE cement prepared at a slump of 7 inches. A rotational vane rheometer equipped with a temperature control system was used. Measured flow and viscosity curves were fitted using the Herschel-Bulkley and Sisko models, respectively, providing different rheological parameters (yield stress, viscosity, consistency index, and flow index), The results illustrate the effects of binder, temperature, and salinity on the rheological behavior of CPB. For the CPB mixtures, the rheological properties (yield stress, dynamic viscosity at high shear rate) tend to increase with temperature increase. Salinity of 0.5% slightly improved these rheological properties.