The transport of near surface salts in hyper-saline gold tailings and the implications for dust generation by wind action

Summary

This work was undertaken to ascertain from laboratory studies if hyper-saline tailings surfaces will develop into major dust sources if left uncapped, and to measure the dust yield potential of these surfaces after accelerated wetting and drying.

The wetting and drying results suggested the surfaces may aid dust inhibition, which led to the recommendation of field trials to assess the applicability of results of this project in the field.

Keywords: hyper-saline tailings, dust yield, wind