Multi-Response Robust Parameter Optimization of Cemented Backfill Proportion with Ultra-Fine Tailings

Backfill of mined-out areas in Carlin-type gold mines always encounters the challenges of ultra-fine tailings, low backfill strength and difficult slurry transportation caused by fine tailings. To understand the influence of slurry mass concentration, waste rock content, and cement-sand ratio on the cemented backfill strength and fluidity, influential factors were determined by range analysis of orthogonal proportion experiments. Response surface methodology (RSM) was used to analyze the influence of each factor on response, and the backfill strength and slump were optimized using a robust optimization desirability function method. The results show that the cement-sand ratio has the highest effect on the backfill strength, and the slurry slump is dominated by the slurry mass concentration. The interaction between waste rock content and the cement-sand ratio significantly impacts the slump, while the interaction between the slurry mass concentration and the cement-sand ratio has a positive correlation with the backfill strength. The ultra-fine tailings cemented backfill proportion was optimized by using multi-response robust parameters as 68.36% slurry mass concentration, 36.72% waste rock content and 1:3 cement-sand ratio. The overall robust optimal desirability was 0.8165, and the validity of multi-response robust parameter optimization was verified by laboratory tests.