OPERATIONS MANAGEMENT
study presentation on a lined tailings dam at a South African platinum mine, Spies highlighted the complexities introduced by the liner requirement – and how good drainage design and quality assurance were an important part of the solution. Among the key issues discussed at the
conference was whether upstream tailings dams should be allowed – as this was one of the commonalities in the recent Brazilian failures. High-level input was given in a panel discussion by senior leaders from a mining company, a law firm and an insurance firm, including technical opinions from tailings industry expert and specialist geotechnical engineer Adriaan Meintjes, a partner and corporate consultant from SRK. According to SRK principal
hydrogeologist and numerical modeller Sheila Imrie, who also presented at the event, tailings is rightly receiving considerable attention from a combined engineering and scientific perspective and will continue to do so in the future. “Te continued application of the latest technologies by the industry’s top experts is critical,” says Imrie. “Industry must also ensure that sufficiently detailed research, monitoring and numerical modelling
informs the future design and current management of tailings dams.” She presented a paper on ‘3D Seepage
Modelling in Tailings Storage Facility Analysis and Design for Low Permeability Lined Basins’ with SRK colleague civil engineer Wesley Rouncivell. A key to the safe operation of tailings dams in the
future involves comprehensive, rigorous monitoring on a regular and real-time basis. In another SRK presentation, GIS specialist Ansu Louw and civil engineer Riaan van der Colf gave their insights on a ‘GIS-enabled, web-based TSF monitoring solution’ by SRK to enhance monitoring of tailings facilities.
Pollution control dam
GETTING LINED TAILINGS STORAGE FACILITIES RIGHT
T
he inclusion of a liner in a tailings dam brings many environmental benefits, but
also increased complexity in design, construction and operation, says SRK Consulting’s senior geotechnical engineer Linda Spies. In her presentation – ‘Design of an HDPE-lined platinum tailings facility in South Africa’ – at the SAIMM Tailings Storage Conference in Gauteng recently, Spies highlighted the importance of well-designed drainage systems. These are vital to drawing down the phreatic surface, reducing the seepage gradient and minimising the liquefaction potential of tailings.
26
www.engineerlive.com Liners can bring environmental benefits
She also emphasised high
construction standards to ensure that tailings dams successfully limit
seepage, and outlined a series of quality control and assurance measures. l
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56
