Introduction

Most mines produce tailings: the ultimate waste product that results from mining the ore body, processing the ore, and recovering the valuable metals and minerals. The tailings are the waste product that results from mining, crushing, grinding, and chemically treating the ore. This course covers tailings as part of the mining process, tailings types and characteristics, tailings facility types and components, and tailings facility design, performance, construction, operation and closure illustrated by case histories.

This course is for anyone involved in the different aspects of tailings listed above, including engineers, environmentalists, geologists, operators and regulators.

Learning Outcomes

1. Identify and discuss the different types of tailings that must be dealt with and the different types of tailings facilities in use.
2. Identify and discuss the principles of tailings impoundment placement and design.
3. Appreciate the different failure modes that may occur with tailings impoundments and the associated risks.
4. Identify and discuss the different requirements and concerns with respect to construction, operation and closure of a tailings facility.

Duration: 19 hours

Category: Geotechnics

Level: Intermediate