Controlling the rheology of a metal ore residue

A method for preparing an aqueous mineral suspension, the method comprising:

• adding, in an aqueous metal ore residue, a first component comprising a polymer (P) with a molecular mass Mw, measured by GPC, in a range of from 100,000 to 3·106 g/mol and prepared by a method comprising radical polymerization at a temperature greater than 50° C., the polymer (P) comprising:
• a polymer (P1) prepared in direct emulsion from reagents comprising (a) an anionic monomer comprising a polymerizable olefinic unsaturation and a carboxylic acid group;
• and (b) an ester of acrylic acid and/or methacrylic acid, in the presence of a radical-generating compound comprising ammonium persulfate and/or an alkaline metal persulfate and optionally further an FeII, FeIII, CuI, and/or CuII ion;
• and/or
• a polymer (P2) prepared in reverse emulsion from reagents comprising:
• (a) an anionic monomer comprising a polymerizable olefinic unsaturation and a carboxylic acid group, optionally as a salt;
• and (c) acrylamide, an acrylamide derivative, and/or a salt of an acrylamide derivative, in the presence of a radical-generating compound comprising ammonium persulfate and/or an alkaline metal persulfate and optionally further an comprising FeII, FeIII, CuI, and/or CuII ion,
• wherein the aqueous mineral suspension produced has (i) a dry solids content greater than 40 wt. % of the suspension, and
• (ii-a) a Brookfield viscosity, measured at 100 rpm and at 25° C., greater than 2,000 mPa·s;
• and/or
• (ii-b) a flow threshold measured at a temperature of 25° C. using a rheometer with imposed shearing, equipped with a bladed spindle, for a particular torsional loading, greater than 40 Pa.