Abstract: In order to realize the dynamic visual observation and quantitative characterization of the dense process of high-concentration tailings， and make up for the lack of applicability of conventional physical similarity simulation and numerical simulation methods，a method based on discrete element (DEM) and smooth particle fluid dynamics (SPH) coupled high-concentration tailings thickening simulation method is proposed， and based on this method，the unclassified tailings thickening process is simulated of a mine.Through the establishment of a full-scale deep cone thickener model consistent with the structure of the industrial machine， the simulation parameters of solid-liquid two-phase fluid are calibrated based on physical tests， and the underflow concentration of the thickener is used as the main evaluation index. The simulation results are compared with the on-site production situation. The results show that the error of the two is extremely small， which verifies the accuracy and reliability of the simulation model， and provides a new method for the research and optimization of mine filling dense technology.

Key words: paste filling, tailing thickening, numerical simulation, discrete element method, smooth particle fluid dynamics method, coupled DEM-SPH