abstract |
A process for the in-situ treatment of tailings in a containment area having a tailings layer comprising fine solids and water, is provided comprising: adding a flocculant, a coagulant, a hydrophobicity modifying agent, or any combination thereof, into a portion of the tailings layer; mixing the portion of the tailings layer and flocculant, coagulant, collector, or combinations thereof, to form in-situ treated tailings; and allowing the in-situ treated tailings to dewater and/or consolidate in-situ in the tailings containment area. |