The primary causes of tailings dam failures include slope instability, foundation failure, overtopping, and uncontrollable external factors such as earthquakes and seepage. These geohazards must be carefully identified and assessed during both the construction and closure phases of a dam. However, the need for safety doesn’t end there continuous monitoring throughout the dam’s entire lifecycle is essential to ensure long-term stability and risk mitigation(GroundProbe, 2022).
Tailings dam stability depends heavily on proper construction, consistent maintenance, and safe operational practices. Failures are often linked to poor workmanship, lack of monitoring, and operational errors. Environmental factors, especially those related to climate change, such as extreme weather and earthquakes, further increase risks.
The 2019 Brumadinho disaster in Brazil, which killed 270 people, highlighted the severe consequences of inadequate monitoring and ignoring known stability issues. This underscores the importance of continuous assessment and strong safety protocols.
Effective risk management involves advanced tools like geotechnical modeling and probabilistic assessments to identify and mitigate potential failure modes. Robust monitoring systems and early warning mechanisms are essential for timely response. International standards (e.g., ICOLD) and national regulations support safe design, construction, and inspection practices, while industry stakeholders play a vital role in ensuring compliance and promoting continuous improvement(GEOMECHANICS, 2024).
A tailings dam failure can unleash a catastrophe, but what causes these disasters?
Reference:
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GEOMECHANICS, S. (2024, May 30). Tailings Dam Failures: Factors and Causes. SAALG GEOMECHANICS. https://www.saalg.com/post/tailings-dam-failures-factors-and-causes
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GroundProbe. (2022, February 16). The Risks, the Consequences, and the Solutions to Preventing Tailings Dam Failures. GroundProbe. https://www.groundprobe.com/the-risks-the-consequences-and-the-solutions-to-preventing-tailings-dam-failures/
