Tailing Dams

Question 1

What Is Tailing

Answer 1

Fine grained waste or tailings are produced in the processing of most ores.

Tailing is typically silt-sized.
Produced as a very aqueous slurry

Question 2

What is Tailings Dam

Answer 2

Tailings dam are formed by an embarkment or dike

Embankment can be constructed of fill material, in some instances; the tailings themselves

Construction with tailings materials involves controlled spigotting of the tailings, i.e. the discharge of tailings through several small

Question 3

Purpose of tailing dam

Answer 3

Dry out the slurry
Re-use the water
Provide permanent safe storage

Question 4

Beach profile (Blight, 1994)

Answer 4

Beaches profile dictates the area of containment can be presented by;

y/H = (1 - x/L)^n

L = Length of beach
H = The elevation between point of deposition and the decant point
X = Distance along the beach
Y = Height at x
n = material constant

Question 5

Common Design Faults (Tailing Dam)

Answer 5

Allowance for overtopping / wave action
Inadequate compaction
Inadequate internal drainage
Inadequate consolidation
Metastable sediments

Question 6

Metastable sediments

Answer 6

• Strong when dry
• When internal gaps are filled with liquid, liquefaction will occur.