This workshop will focus on the practical application of filtered tailings management, facility design, and operations. Current standard-of-practices in planning, design, fundamental geotechnics, construction concepts and approaches, and operations of filtered tailings storage facilities will be covered.
The morning session will provide an overview of technical challenges of filtered tailings from various angles, including process (dewatering) and filter cake properties, geotechnical properties, transport and stacking (deposition planning), and geotechnical design. Key operational factors will be addressed. The afternoon session will take a deeper dive into the technical and economic considerations of handling filtered tailings at large tonnages, including key factors in stacking system design and operations, bulk material handling challenges, and a holistic approach to stacking plans. The short course will dive into evaluating the requirements of aligning batch (filter) to continuous (conveying) material handling process, as well as provide a side-by-side technical comparison of available stacking technologies, current equipment capabilities, and the constraints and limitations of different stacking methodologies.
Participants will learn from experienced practitioners on the topic of filtered tailings facility and deposition planning, bulk materials handling, and challenges and solutions in filtered tailings stack design. Case studies and real-world examples from both small and larger scale (existing and planned) operations will be woven throughout the course. Above all, the short course will advance the discussion of challenges and practical solutions considered when the realities of field implementation do not really align with the original design intent, and how we can learn and continuously improve in this evolving area of practice.
Who should attend
This workshop is designed specifically for the practitioners, engineers, operators, and decision makers alike, and for all those who have interest in gaining practical knowledge in filtered tailings stacking system design and operations and willing to learn from success stories, and interested in learning the challenges the industry faces in the field of non-conventional tailings management.
Colleen Crystal
Practice Lead, Tailings and Geotechnical, SRK Canada
Colleen is a principal geotechnical engineer with over 25 years’ experience in geotechnical engineering and seismic analysis and design for mine-waste tailings and waste rock facilities, filtered tailings facilities, earthen embankments, landfills and water retention dams.
Joe Rola
Principal Tailings Engineer, SRK Australia
Joe is a civil/geotechnical engineer with over 18 years’ experience working on mine and power generation wastes, heap leach and land/infrastructure development projects. Joe has extensive experience in design, analysis, reporting, construction support/quality assurance, field and laboratory investigations, project management, and geotechnical instrumentation design/installation.
Dr Liam MacNamara
Principal Consultant (Mineral Processing)
Liam has over 25 years’ international experience in the evaluation of process metallurgy and the design, construction, commissioning and operation of minerals processing plants.
Raúl Norambuena Mardones
Principal Consultant (Geotechnical Engineering)
Raul has more than 10 years’ experience in the design of tailings and waste rock handling facilities, seismic geotechnical engineering, dam engineering, dam failure assessments, safety reviews and audits, engineering design, construction supervision and operation, and engineer of record services.
