"Not An Act of God" – The Hard Truth About Tailings Dam Failures
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In this special edition of The Mining Pulse, James and Graeme are joined by Professor SW Jacobsz, a geotechnical engineer from the University of Pretoria who holds a PhD from Cambridge and researches liquefaction and failure triggers in tailings dams.
Following recent industry events, this episode unpacks the brutal engineering realities behind tailings dam stability.
Professor Jacobsz explains that tailings are the fine, liquid slurry left over after minerals are extracted, which are typically deposited into ring dikes or valleys.
The discussion covers the different construction methods, including the highly common upstream method, and why allowing the material to dry out and gain strength is critical to a dam's structural integrity.
Key Diagnostics Covered in This Episode:
•Failure Mechanisms: An explanation of how dams fail, including overtopping from excess water, foundation failures from building over old deposits, and sudden liquefaction events.
•The Mechanics of Liquefaction: How loose, water-filled tailings can instantly lose strength and flow like a liquid when containment is removed.
•Operational Impact: How a breach results in an immediate halt to mining operations, alongside severe environmental and economic consequences.
•Dam Management: The critical importance of maintaining sufficient freeboard, controlling the rate of rise, and ensuring a competent Engineer of Record oversees the facility.
•Investigation Tools: Why geotechnical investigations must begin immediately to measure water pressures before they dissipate, and how satellite imagery is actively used to monitor moisture and movement.
Subscribe today to stay on the pulse.
Following recent industry events, this episode unpacks the brutal engineering realities behind tailings dam stability.
Professor Jacobsz explains that tailings are the fine, liquid slurry left over after minerals are extracted, which are typically deposited into ring dikes or valleys.
The discussion covers the different construction methods, including the highly common upstream method, and why allowing the material to dry out and gain strength is critical to a dam's structural integrity.
Key Diagnostics Covered in This Episode:
•Failure Mechanisms: An explanation of how dams fail, including overtopping from excess water, foundation failures from building over old deposits, and sudden liquefaction events.
•The Mechanics of Liquefaction: How loose, water-filled tailings can instantly lose strength and flow like a liquid when containment is removed.
•Operational Impact: How a breach results in an immediate halt to mining operations, alongside severe environmental and economic consequences.
•Dam Management: The critical importance of maintaining sufficient freeboard, controlling the rate of rise, and ensuring a competent Engineer of Record oversees the facility.
•Investigation Tools: Why geotechnical investigations must begin immediately to measure water pressures before they dissipate, and how satellite imagery is actively used to monitor moisture and movement.
Subscribe today to stay on the pulse.
