Paste Technology / Paste Applications
Paste technology, while prevalent today, can trace its roots back over thirty years. It was first introduced for use in:
- Europe – 1978
- United States – 1980
- South Africa – 1984
- Canada – 1984
Extensive research conducted in Canadian mines in the early 1990’s resulted in steady advances in the preparation and transportation of paste. Since that time, the acceptance of paste backfill plants, especially in bulk mining, has become widespread.
The first paste plant built solely for the disposal of mineral tailings was constructed in 1999 and, since then, over 30 paste installations have begun operating or are in various stages of design or construction throughout the world.
Today, there are two main applications for paste technology:
- Underground backfill (utilized primarily in the mining industry but is also applicable in other industries, such as land development, where void filling is important)
- Surface disposal of mineral waste materials (typically mine tailings) or other industrial residues (including surface disposal of industrial mineral sludges)
