Design Featured Items
Publication Event

A practical safety risk model for monitoring program design, MGR 2019: Proceedings of the First International Conference on Mining Geomechanical Risk, MGR 2019

Many publications are available that provide statements of best practice in terms of open pit slope risk management. However, to date none provide a risk model that demonstrates the risk reduction achieved for applying each of the risk management elements. This leaves the slope stability practitioner unable to analytically answer questions such as: ? How frequently should slopes be inspected? ? How frequently should prisms be read? ? Should a radar be acquired? If so, which one? ? How many monitoring systems to use? And many more. This paper applies the Venter and Hamman (2018a) temporal safety risk model to an open pit in West Africa. The paper demonstrates the use of the model to a small saprolite open pit and concludes with recommendations for slope instability registers to facilitate future back?analysis in terms of this model.

safety risk model monitoring frequency monitoring system design
Publication Event

Achieving the design intent, reducing risk and saving costs of tailings storage facilities, Paste 2021: 24th International Conference on Paste, Thickened and Filtered Tailings, Paste 2021

Planning, operating, monitoring and closing a tailings storage facility (TSF) can present many challenges, especially in dynamic mining environments where site conditions vary spatially and with time. However, big impacts can be made at relatively small cost once the tailings management system, design and performance are well defined and understood. This paper presents various examples of initiatives aimed at achieving the design intent that have been adopted by Rio Tinto Iron Ore, which also reduce risks and improve tailings management performance. Examples presented include development and communication of short-term, long-term and life-of-facility deposition plans, implementation of simple deposition management tools, monitoring and managing slurry density, development and continual oversight of water balance models, and sound investment in water management infrastructure extending to safe performance in emergency situations. Regular governance was also implemented to provide assurance that these controls remain effective.

tailings management design intent deposition water balance decant
Publication Event

An integrated approach to cost comparisons of different tailings management options, Paste 2019: Proceedings of the 22nd International Conference on Paste, Thickened and Filtered Tailings, Paste 2019

There are growing expectations of mining companies to operate in a more sustainable manner, with a strong business case for improving waste management and reducing environmental impacts. As the stewardship of tailings come under increasing scrutiny, decision-makers are urged to adopt a robust approach to the selection of a tailings management strategy that encompasses design for closure, and leading practices to lower the risk of catastrophic dam failures, optimise the use of resources, and mitigate environmental impacts on climate change. An integrated analysis, considering economic, environmental, social, and risk aspects of the operation can therefore provide decision-makers with balanced information to ensure the right projects proceed with an optimal business case so that the most cost-effective solution, that does not externalise costs, can be selected. However, literature review revealed that fundamental shortcomings exist within traditional evaluation approaches used for economic comparisons. This paper reports on life cycle cost analyses conducted for comparing various tailings management options under different scenarios. A conceptual case study for the disposal of gold tailings in Western Australia as a slurry, as thickened, or as filtered tailings, was considered. This was done for examining the extent to which potentially hidden costs impact on the total cost of a project. It is suggested that the proposed approach will lead to selection of a tailings management alternative that ensures sound economic, environmental, and social performance is achieved.

tailings management cost comparison mine closure life cycle assessment sustainable mining design
Publication

ASCE Library

Library contains journals, books, magazines, proceedings, standards and more. Use the search to find information on tailings and related topics. Link brings you to a search of the ASCE library on "Tailings".

Geotechnical Testing and Investigation Design Seismic Hydraulic Construction Closure
Publication

Bulletin 101 - Tailings Dams, Transport, Placement, Decantation - Review and Recommendations (1995)

This bulletin describes various methods of tailings transport (slurries vs. dry tailings), tailings placement (cyclone, spigot, paddock, mechanical placement), and decant systems. The bulletin is intended to provide advice for design of these elements based on project-specific characteristics. The bulletin also provides guidance for assessing the water balance of a tailings impoundment.

Tailings Transport Tailings Deposition Design Dam Safety Seepage
Publication

Bulletin 103 - Tailings Dams and Environment - Review and Recommendations (1996)

This bulletin considers the environmental impact assessment that must be made at the planning stage. It also provides consideration of the environmental stability to be achieved during the years of tailings dam construction and the period after completion and rehabilitation.

Environmental Impact Assessment Planning Design Environmental
Publication

Bulletin 106 - A Guide to Tailings Dams and Impoundments - Design, Construction, Use and Rehabilitation (1996)

This bulletin discusses common problems in the disposal of tailings at mines, quarries and other industries, and identifies safe methods of designing and operating dams and impoundments. The problems encountered at the end of operations when it becomes desirable to end tailings dam construction and it is necessary to rehabilitate the dam and its impoundment to make it permanently safe and environmentally acceptable are discussed and a final chapter describes some of the governmental regulations controlling tailings dams in some countries.

Construction Operations Regulation Design Closure
Publication

Bulletin 139 - Improving Tailings Dam Safety - Critical Aspects of Management, Design, Operation and Closure (2011)

In considering the critical aspects required to improve tailings dam safety, the following subjects are addressed in this Bulletin: Corporate and Management Commitment, Education and training of company staff, Critical aspects relating to the design of a tailings dam, Critical aspects to be considered when designing for and implementing the final closure of a tailings dam, Risk management, The essential need for regular external audits and Some notes on the positive role that is played by industry regulators. The conclusion reached in the document is that diligent attention to these critical aspects will result in improved awareness and a lowering of safety incidences for tailings dams.

Design Tailings Management Training Risk Management Risk
Publication

Bulletin 153 - Sustainable Design and Post-Closure Performance of Tailings Dams (2013)

This bulletin provides guidance for the designers, owners, operators and regulators of tailing dams on closure considerations for design at all stages of the tailings dam. The bulletin contains three main sections with a discussion on the following topics: Sustainable Closure Principles, covering current international practice, regulations, objectives, design life and phases, financial and risk management practices as they relate to closure; Sustainable Design Considerations, covering the main aspects of physical, chemical, ecological and social stability associated with tailing dam closure; Monitoring, covering post closure and long term monitoring requirements. The document presents a range of international approaches to the subject of sustainable tailings dam closure.

Closure Design Environmental Risk
Publication

Bulletin 45 - Manual on Tailings Dams and Dumps (1982)

This bulletin deals with: Location of dams, Site investigation, Design, Construction and operation, Closure and abandonment

Location of dams Site investigation Design Construction Operation Closure