Geomechanics.io

  • Free Tools
Sign UpLog In
Built byBoxcut Studio

Geomechanics.io

Geomechanics, Streamlined.

© 2026 Geomechanics.io. All rights reserved.

Geomechanics.io

CMRR-ioGEODB-ioHYDROGEO-ioQCDB-ioFree Tools & CalculatorsBlogLatest Industry News

Industries

MiningConstructionTunnelling

Company

Terms of UsePrivacy PolicyLinkedIn
    Research
    Sustainability
    Product

    SRK Consulting paste article: sensor-based sorting and fill design notes for engineers

    May 2, 2026|

    Reviewed by Tom Sullivan

    SRK Consulting paste article: sensor-based sorting and fill design notes for engineers

    First reported on Australian Centre for Geomechanics – News

    30 Second Briefing

    Coupling sensor-based ore sorting with commingled tailings and mine rockfill is presented as a way to turn coarse, low-grade crushed waste into a geotechnically useful product rather than a pure disposal cost. X-ray transmissive (XRT) and other multi-sensor sorters can reject up to ~40% of plant feed as coarse waste, which, when mixed with dewatered, non-segregating tailings at 2–6:1 rock-to-tailings ratios, improves shear strength, reduces oxygen ingress, and uses waste-rock voids for tailings storage. Because typical plant feed does not generate enough coarse waste for these ratios, the authors point to sorting marginal or low-grade stockpiles to supply additional rock while scavenging residual high-grade material.

    Technical Brief

    • Commingling is defined as physically mixing waste rock with dewatered, non-segregating tailings in one footprint.
    • Non-segregating behaviour requires tailings dewatered so fines do not hydraulically separate from coarse fractions.
    • Typical commingling design targets 2–6 parts waste rock to 1 part dry tailings by weight.
    • Conveyor-based systems exploit kinetic and potential energy of transport to mix rock and tailings streams.
    • Highly saturated tailings within the rock matrix reduce oxygen permeability, improving waste rock geochemical stability.
    • Low-moisture, high-shear-strength waste rock skeleton improves overall shear strength and stability of tailings deposits.
    • Co-disposal is distinguished from commingling as mere co-placement of rock and tailings without controlled mixing.

    Our Take

    SRK Consulting also appears in our coverage as a resource estimator (e.g. the Fostung tungsten project) and as a digital tools vendor (HiveMap), so this paste and commingled-waste work reinforces its positioning across both front-end characterisation and back-end tailings solutions.

    The 2–6:1 waste-rock-to-tailings ratios and 40% waste fractions discussed here align with ore-sorting case studies in our database where operators aim to convert more waste into structural or backfill material, signalling that paste and filtered tailings design is increasingly being integrated with early-stage sorting strategies.

    Geotechnical Software for Modern Teams

    Centralise site data, logs, and lab results with GEODB-io, CMRR-io, and HYDROGEO-io.

    No credit card required.

    • Save and export unlimited calculations
    • Advanced data visualisation
    • Generate professional PDF reports
    • Cloud storage for all your projects

    Prepared by collating external sources, AI-assisted tools, and Geomechanics.io’s proprietary mining database, then reviewed for technical accuracy & edited by our geotechnical team.

    Related Articles

    Mining
    about 7 hours ago

    Bradken SmartRoller™ for excavators: reliability and maintenance insights for engineers

    Bradken has launched Bradken SmartRoller™, a digital system that continuously monitors excavator undercarriage roller temperature in real time via remote sensing. By tracking temperature trends as a proxy for wear progression and issuing early alerts, the system allows operators to schedule proactive roller replacement rather than waiting for failure. The approach targets higher excavator uptime, more stable undercarriage performance and lower lifecycle costs for high-hour fleets in abrasive conditions.

    MAV2205 shaft–hub locking devices: bending load insights for conveyor engineers
    Mining
    about 7 hours ago

    MAV2205 shaft–hub locking devices: bending load insights for conveyor engineers

    MAV2205 shaft–hub locking devices are being engineered specifically for mining conveyor pulleys where high belt tensions and heavily loaded drive or bend drums impose severe bending loads on the pulley shaft, not just torque. By clamping concentrically along the shaft–hub interface, the unit spreads bending stresses more evenly than traditional keyed or welded connections, reducing local stress concentrations that initiate fatigue cracks. For designers and maintenance teams, this supports longer pulley service life, fewer unplanned shutdowns and more predictable performance in high-tension conveyor duty.

    Regis wins McPhillamys court challenge: approvals reset and design notes for mine planners
    Mining
    about 7 hours ago

    Regis wins McPhillamys court challenge: approvals reset and design notes for mine planners

    Regis Resources has won a Federal Court challenge over its McPhillamys gold project in New South Wales, with the court declaring invalid a Commonwealth heritage protection declaration that had halted development. The 14 October ruling sends the project back to federal Environment Minister Murray Watt for redetermination, reopening the approvals pathway for the planned open-pit operation near Blayney. Geotechnical and mine planning teams can now resume work on pit design, waste rock emplacement and associated infrastructure, pending any new heritage conditions.

    Related Industries & Products

    Mining

    Geotechnical software solutions for mining operations including CMRR analysis, hydrogeological testing, and data management.

    CMRR-io

    Streamline coal mine roof stability assessments with our cloud-based CMRR software featuring automated calculations, multi-scenario analysis, and collaborative workflows.

    HYDROGEO-io

    Comprehensive hydrogeological testing platform for managing, analysing, and reporting on packer tests, lugeon values, and hydraulic conductivity assessments.

    GEODB-io

    Centralised geotechnical data management solution for storing, accessing, and analysing all your site investigation and material testing data.

    AllGeotechnicalInfrastructureHazardsEnvironmental