Exploitation by the cemented backfilling method of the talc orebody at the Fontane mine, Italy: a research on filling mix optimisation.

The mine is exploited using a descending slicing method, where voids are backfilled with cemented fill. The filling method (sling belt or pumping) affects the rheological requirements of the backfill mix, which is controlled by the water/cement and sand/gravel ratios. Reinforcing elements are placed in the drifts prior to backfilling. Tests have been carried out of four types of aggregates - coarse crushed waste rock and coarse alluvial gravel/sand for placement by sling belt and fine crushed waste rock and fine alluvial gravel/sand for pumping. Parameters studied were the water/cement and cement/aggregate ratios of laboratory samples and of the fill in place. The results are used to suggest ways of obtaining a satisfactory fill from the materials available (mainly mine waste).
The mine is exploited using a descending slicing method, where voids are backfilled with cemented fill. The filling method (sling belt or pumping) affects the rheological requirements of the backfill mix, which is controlled by the water/cement and sand/gravel ratios. Reinforcing elements are placed in the drifts prior to backfilling. Tests have been carried out of four types of aggregates - coarse crushed waste rock and coarse alluvial gravel/sand for placement by sling belt and fine crushed waste rock and fine alluvial gravel/sand for pumping. Parameters studied were the water/cement and cement/aggregate ratios of laboratory samples and of the fill in place. The results are used to suggest ways of obtaining a satisfactory fill from the materials available (mainly mine waste).