Geotechnical and Seismic Design Considerations for Mine Tailings Dam

Abstract

A mining operation produces enormous quantities of fine-grained wastes called ‘tailings’, which are commonly disposed of as slurry in impoundments, necessitating the construction of engineered earth structures (tailings dam) of considerable heights. Consequently, the stability analysis of these earth structures becomes a primary concern. The paper presents the various civil and geotechnical engineering issues attendant in the design and construction of tailings dam. Emphasis is directed towards the stability analysis methods using limit-equilibrium approach and numerical (finite-element) analysis. Case studies using both methods are presented. The importance of a site-specific approach for selecting seismic parameters, as well as the need for a comprehensive and continuous monitoring program during and after construction is also discussed.