Slurry pipelines are used to transport aggregate materials by embedding them in a fluid, usually water. At the end of the pipeline, the material is dehydrated, and the aggregate is thus available. However, the water that is removed may contain environmentally hazardous materials and create an environmental problem. Typical materials that are transferred using slurry pipelines include coal, copper, iron, and phosphate concentrates, limestone, lead, zinc, nickel, bauxite and oil sands.
