ASDSO is a national non-profit organization serving state dam safety programs and the broader dam safety community to improve the condition and safety of dams through education and support for state dam safety programs. Largely focused on dams for flood protection, water supply, hydropower, irrigation.
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.
This bulletin concentrates on the difference of approach (relative to water retention dams) necessary when considering the instrumentation for tailing dams. Sound advice is given about the importance of seepage measurements and the need for automation to provide continuous records, methods for measuring the position of the phreatic surface. The difference of approach between embankment dams and tailings dams is shown.
This Bulletin is devoted to the development and the implementation of a dam safety management system for dams in the operational phase of their life cycle. It outlines the general structure of a systems approach to safety management, and strives to develop a system that can address all the interdependencies, and encompass all the arrangements necessary to ensure proper dam safety management. This bulletin is intended to be helpful in developing, implementing, reviewing and improving the management of dam safety at all organizational levels.
This bulletin is intended primarily for the use of the Regulatory Agencies responsible for the safety of tailings dams, both structurally and environmentally. However, it is also intended to assist the mine operator in understanding the measures that must be adopted to ensure that his tailings dam is safe, both during operation and after rehabilitation. Finally, it should also benefit those individuals or organizations involved in the design, construction, operation, and rehabilitation of tailings dams.
This bulletin discusses various recommended drainage methods for tailings dams.
These Guidelines address the risks of accidents or incidents in which a member of the public encounters a hazard created by the presence or operation of a dam.
The Conformance Protocols help operators and independent third parties assess implementation of the Standards requirements, and ultimately to demonstrate conformance. They map to the Standards 77 requirements using 219 clear and concise criteria. Effective assessment of conformance to the Standard through ICMMs Conformance Protocols will help to demonstrate to all stakeholders that responsible practices are being applied across the tailings lifecycle.
Increased awareness of dams and the risks they pose is an important part of dam risk management. Hazards from dams can be triggered by severe weather events, improper operation of the dam, or regular or emergency releases of water downstream.
Examples of the successful use of notification methods for dam emergencies that occurred during Hurricane Matthew in 2016 to help stakeholders better understand notification methods that can be used during a dam-related incident. This Fact Sheet also provides information on coordinating notification messages.