Services

Consulting

Introduction

Our core services range from backfill geomechanics (mix designs and mix optimisation, strength assessments, numerical modeling) to plant designs, construction and commissioning. Much of our backfill work is aimed at scoping studies and feasibility studies for backfill plants and paste plants including conceptual level to basic engineering level designs, equipment sizing and selection, capital and operating costs, and project scheduling. We maintain a close liaison with vendors in the market and a library of vendor costs.

Our expertise spans the full spectrum of backfill types, including:

Unconsolidated fill
Cemented fill
Rockfills and aggregate fills
Hydraulic fill and classified sandfill
Paste backfill

MineFill Services’ expertise in backfill reticulation systems includes pump selection and motor sizing, pipeline analysis, pipe selection and sizing, instrumentation and monitoring, and barricade designs.

Our team of backfill experts have published numerous papers related to paste backfill, novel methods of manufacturing and testing paste backfill and, ways to successfully implement paste backfill, cemented hydraulic fill and cemented rock fill. We always strive to find the optimum solution for our clients specific needs and have a keen focus on making improvements in the way backfill is used in mining.

Backfill Geomechanics

Mix designs and optimisation
Backfill target strengths
Backfill exposure analysis
Bulkhead analysis
Binder optimisation
Aggregate sizing

Backfill Designs

Backfilling alternatives – trade-off studies
Backfill plant design (paste backfill and cemented hydraulic fill)
Underground backfill reticulation systems
Crushing and screening plants (cemented rockfill)
Water and mass balances
PFD’s, P&ID’s, electrical load list, equipment list
Backfill placement design
Equipment sizing and selection
Tailings reclamation and mine remediations

Backfill Operations

Backfill quality control protocols
Site laboratory design and audit
Off-site laboratory testing
Plant commissioning
Plant audits and troubleshooting

Backfill Studies and Reports

System audits
Preliminary Economic Analysis (PEA)
Conceptual / Trade-Off (FEL-1)
Pre-Feasibility Study (PFS / FEL-2)
Feasibility Study (FS / FEL-3)
CAPEX/OPEX
NI 43-101
Troubleshooting

Backfill Quality Control

MineFill Services has significant expertise in backfill operations and provides regular advice to backfill operations worldwide. Our services include paste backfill quality, design of QA/QC programs, binder optimisation, and troubleshooting of operational issues in backfill plants and reticulation systems. We also provide audits of existing backfill systems.

Abandoned Mines/Mine Rehabilitation

In recent years MineFill has partnered with major civil contractors to stabilise abandoned and historic mines for environmental and safety goals. This unique service requires an in-depth understanding of the flow behaviour of paste and backfill mixes. Our services have included paste mix designs, placement methodology, mix and placement quality control, and liaison with regulatory and government agencies.