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<br />3.0 TYPES OF COLOIlII TEST <br />It is ideal to model the tailings deposit, such that thelvolume o! <br />voids is equal to or greater than 1 liter. For these column sCudies, it <br />is intended to use 5 inch diameter columns by 12 inches in len~th. This <br />size xill be adequate to provide the needed volume of vaidsl Also by <br />maintaining a ratio of approximately 1.0 - 1.5 to 1.0 0!eight to <br />diameter, the leaching process will allow the leachate to percola a through <br />the column of tailings in a reasonable time frame. <br />7.1 SATURATBD TAILINGS COLUlIIi <br />3.1.1 SAMPLE PLACEMENT WITHIN THE COLUMN <br /> <br />A 2 inch layer of sand would be placed an the bottIom of the <br />column. This layer of sand would simulate the underdrain s$stem. The <br />tailings as received would be re-slurried to 50 ~ solids content. <br />Three lifts of tailings of equal weight and height xould be placed <br />in the column with bottom drainage closed off at all time during <br />deposition. The atmosphere within the column would be air. All <br />drainage, due to settlement o! each lift, would take place to the <br />surface of the deposit only and the drained liquor xould b~e allowed <br />to remain at the surface. Each succeeding lift would ~e placed <br />underwater. At the conclusion of placement of the three lofts, the <br />tailings liquor would be allowed to drain to slightly bove the <br />surface of the tailings. The settled density, saturated moisture <br />content, calculated moisture content, and the total volume of voids <br />of the deposit would be calculated. At this point the col~mn would <br />be ready for leaching. <br />3.1.2 SAMPLE LEACHING <br />Sample leaching would be carried out suc4 that tt~e top of <br />tailings are always in a moist state. Enough simulated <br />rainwater/snowmelt water would be added to the top of the column to <br />produce one pore volume of leachate. The level of water would be <br />maintained slightly above the tailings after collecting t~e needed <br />yore volume. Once the first pore volume has been collected, <br />additional water would be added at the toy of the column to produce <br />the second pore volume. This procedure would be continued u~til five <br />pore volumes have been collected. If needed the hydraulic gradient <br />could be elevated to speed up the testinq• This xould be accomplished <br />by increasing the atmospheric pressure above the water. <br />i <br />