Tailings storage facility method and structure

THIS invention relates to a method of constructing a tailings storage facility structure, and to a tailings facility structure. The structure comprises a 5 network of sand channel arteries 10 and permeable capillaries extending through tailings 14. The sand channel arteries 10 are continuous in the vertical and one lateral dimension and connect to a decant point or points. The permeable capillaries 12 are connected at their lowest point to a sand channel artery, and are continuous in one lateral dimension. The capillaries 10 12 transport water from the tailings 14 to the sand channel arteries 10, and the sand channel arteries transport water from the capillaries 12 and the tailings 14, to the water decant point or points. 24 24: , 38 i',''~ ~24 - - - - - - - - - - - - I I. . . . . . . . . . I I. . . . . . . . . . I I . . . . . . . . . . . I. . . . . . . . . . . I. . . . . . . . . . . I . . . . . . . . . . . I I---.. ... ... 2 4 24 ..24..36A 0..Fig.3B.. 22---36..22 . . . ... T---... 10.. 10... ... ...2 8.. ... 2 8 ... 3 2 3 2... ... 22 .. Fig..4.22