Tailings deposition

Abstract

The present invention relates to an amphibious vehicle for depositing free-draining sludge particles to create a drainage channel in a tailings storage water body. The amphibious vehicle comprises: (i) a floating platform with at least one propulsion system; (ii) at least one hydrocyclone mounted on a forward portion of the platform, each hydrocyclone having (a) a lower flow for directing the free-draining sludge discharges in front of the platform to initiate or continue the drainage channel, and (b) an upper flow for directing the fluid to one side of the drainage channel; and (iv) a feed manifold mounted on the platform having: (a) at least one outlet, each outlet feeding one of the at least one hydrocyclone, and (b) at least one inlet for coupling to a flexible pipe, wherein the inlet includes a joint with multiple degrees of freedom.