Shale Chem
Mining tailings sludge — over 50% solids — before and during OC 360 clarification.
Field Results/Mining · OC 360

Less chemistry. More clarity.

Overview

Mining ponds with extremely thick sludge — over 50% solids. Traditional polyacrylamides at doses above 1,000 ppm had limited success. OC 360 at approximately 600 ppm achieved unprecedented water clarity.

Chemistry
OC 360 (polymeric coagulant)
Application
Mining tailings
Location
Mining
Headline result
~600 ppm · OC 360 dose
From the bench
Thick > 50% solids tailings sludge treated with OC 360 at ~600 ppm
Thick > 50% solids tailings sludge treated with OC 360 at ~600 ppm

Mining operations often generate ponds with extremely thick sludge, containing over 50% solids, making water clarification a major challenge. Traditional polymeric flocculants, even at high doses above 1,000 ppm, have provided limited success. OC 360 was applied at approximately 600 ppm, achieving unprecedented water clarity and demonstrating superior performance. The product is now undergoing the necessary approval process for wider field application, highlighting its potential as a highly effective solution for mining water treatment challenges.

Key points

  • Mining operations leave a very thick, > 50% solids sludge in their ponds.
  • Problems to treat this are numerous, and water clarification is a monumental challenge.
  • Attempts to use a range of different molecular weight and charge Polymeric Flocculants (Polyacrylamides) have had limited success — even at dose levels > 1,000 ppm.
  • OC 360 was applied at ~600 ppm and achieved clarity never before seen. The product is now going through the required lengthy approval process.
Superior Clarity

Achieves unprecedented water clarity.

Low Dosage

Effective at only ~600 ppm.

Efficient Treatment

Outperforms traditional flocculants.

Innovative Solution

Ideal for challenging mining sludge ponds.

Frequently asked

What challenges do mining ponds present?
Mining ponds often contain extremely thick sludge with over 50% solids, presenting significant clarification difficulties.
How did traditional flocculants perform?
Polymeric flocculants demonstrated limited effectiveness even at high concentrations.
How effective is OC 360 in mining applications?
OC 360 achieved superior results at reduced dosages compared to conventional products.
Is OC 360 approved for field use?
The product is undergoing approval procedures for broader implementation.