Our client was seeking to optimize its tailings management by dewatering its finest tailings. This was a substantial undertaking as historically, only deslimed tailings were dewatered, using a conventional Jord horizontal vacuum belt filter.

Testament to the strong working relationship, Jord was engaged to consider a range of dewatering technologies, performing test-work on the fine tailings slurry (40% <40um).  An additional challenge was the need to remove WAD cyanide from the tailings.

Jord’s Viper technology, combined with a cake washing circuit for the cyanide removal, was ultimately selected and promptly retro-fitted to the existing horizontal vacuum belt filter.  Now in operation, Jord’s Viper vacuum belt filter is meeting performance expectations, reliably producing dry filter cake for onward trucking and handling.

The patented Viper technology is an additional mechanical process to dewater the filter cake as it travels along a horizontal vacuum belt filter. The combined process is significantly more effective and efficient than a conventional vacuum belt filter, making it well suited for challenging to mineral tailing applications.  Importantly, fundamental advantages including a continuous processing basis, high reliability and low maintenance remain true for Viper technology. This is in stark contrast to filter presses and other enhanced dewatering technologies.