Method of transshipping solid particulates in an aqueous suspension of solid particulates using mineral suspending agent

A method of transshipping associated in mining or mineral processing operations of solid particulates, wherein transshipping is while the solid particulates are in the form of an aqueous suspension of the solid particulates, comprising:

• (a) collecting solid particulates from mining or mineral processing operations in a container and thereafter
• (b) dispersing, in the container, solid particulates in an aqueous liquid in the presence of at least one mineral suspending agent to form the aqueous suspension of the solid particulates;
• (c) transferring the container containing the aqueous suspension of the solid particulates to a first vehicle;
• and thereafter
• (d) hauling the container via a first vehicle a distance greater than or equal to 1 km;
• (e) transferring the aqueous suspension of the solid particulates from the first vehicle to a second vehicle;
• and
• (f) hauling the aqueous suspension of the solid particulates via a second vehicle a distance greater than or equal to 1 km;
• wherein each of the hauling of steps (d) and (f) is while the solid particulates are in the form of an aqueous suspension of the solid particulates;
• wherein the aqueous suspension of the solid particulates comprises:
• an aqueous liquid, comprising water and optionally at least one other liquid, wherein the water is present in an amount greater than 50% v/v relative to the total volume of the water plus the volume of the at least one other liquid;
• the solid particulates present in an amount ranging from 5% to 95% solids, wherein the solid particulates are chosen from rocks, mineral colloids, organic colloids, mineraloids, and minerals;
• and
• at least one mineral suspending agent present in an amount ranging from 0.05% to 1.0% by weight of the solid particulates, wherein the at least one mineral suspending agent is purified attapulgite substantially free of non-attapulgite minerals.

A method of transshipping associated in mining or mineral processing operations of solid particulates, wherein transshipping is while the solid particulates are in the form of an aqueous suspension of the solid particulates, comprising:

• (a) collecting solid particulates from mining or mineral processing operations in a container and thereafter
• (b) dispersing, in the container, solid particulates in an aqueous liquid in the presence of at least one mineral suspending agent to form the aqueous suspension of the solid particulates;
• (c) transferring the container containing the aqueous suspension of the solid particulates to a first vehicle;
• and thereafter
• (d) hauling the container via a first vehicle a distance greater than or equal to 1 km;
• (e) transferring the aqueous suspension of the solid particulates from the first vehicle to a second vehicle;
• and
• (f) hauling the aqueous suspension of the solid particulates via a second vehicle a distance greater than or equal to 1 km;
• wherein each of the hauling of steps (d) and (f) is while the solid particulates are in the form of an aqueous suspension of the solid particulates;
• wherein the aqueous suspension of the solid particulates comprises:
• an aqueous liquid, comprising water and optionally at least one other liquid, wherein the water is present in an amount greater than 50% v/v relative to the total volume of the water plus the volume of the at least one other liquid;
• the solid particulates present in an amount ranging from 5% to 95% solids, wherein the solid particulates are chosen from rocks, mineral colloids, organic colloids, mineraloids, and minerals;
• and
• at least one mineral suspending agent present in an amount ranging from 0.05% to 1.0% by weight of the solid particulates, wherein the at least one mineral suspending agent is purified attapulgite substantially free of non-attapulgite minerals.