Abstract: Thickening test was made on Beiminghe iron tailings by a classified thickening process using hydrocyclone and thickener. The result shows total tailings with a concentration of 28%~30% can be thickened to a concentration of over 60% by a classified thickening system consisting of FX125 hydrocyclone , GX-3.6 high efficiency thickener and φ2 000 mm thickening cone. This thickening process is characterized by simple flowsheet, high thickening efficiency, small capital investment, small land occupation and low operation cost, and is capable of high efficiency thickening of whole tailings, facilitating its industrialization.

Key words: Tailings, Classified thickening, Hydrocyclones, High efficiency thickener