Building a tailings dam involves a meticulous, lifecycle-focused process, increasingly guided by standards like the Global Industry Standard on Tailings Management (GISTM) to ensure safety (Global Tailings Review, 2020).
The initial step involves developing a comprehensive interdisciplinary knowledge base. This includes detailed site characterization (social, environmental, technical aspects like geology and hydrology) and a multi-criteria alternatives analysis for new facilities to select the safest site and tailings management technologies, aiming to minimize risks from the outset (Global Tailings Review, 2020).
Subsequently, robust design plans and criteria are meticulously developed. An Engineer of Record (EOR) is typically appointed to oversee this phase, ensuring designs minimize risk across all lifecycle stages, including closure, and address all credible failure modes (Global Tailings Review, 2020). The design must accommodate the often-staged nature of construction (Global Tailings Review, 2020).
The physical construction is often an evolving process. It typically begins with a “starter dyke” and the dam is then progressively raised over the mine’s operational life using specific methods such as upstream, downstream, or centerline (Jensen Hughes, 2022).
This construction phase demands strict adherence to the design intent, rigorous quality control and assurance, and documentation through as-built reports for any material changes. Ongoing monitoring and risk management are critical throughout the dam’s development and operational life (Global Tailings Review, 2020).
What materials do you think are used to build a tailings dam? Share your thoughts!
