The Importance of Monitoring Slopes and Tailing Dams
The significance of monitoring the slopes and tailing dams of open cast mines and quarries cannot be underestimated. Recent developments in technology, namely laser scanning, mean that mining survey and slope monitoring teams are able to monitor mines and quarries with greater precision – thereby lessening the likelihood of disasters. In this article, our mining survey specialists look at the importance of monitoring tailing dams and slopes as well as instances where insufficient monitoring has lead to collapses.
The Importance of Monitoring Tailing Dams and Slopes
It is important that mine and quarry operators are fully aware of how stable and secure their tailing dams are. Tailing dams are used to hold the waste products from mineral processing plants at mines. With tailing dams often made from waste rock, mud, sand and other soft materials – as opposed to being made from concrete – they can be extremely susceptible to failings without sufficient monitoring. They therefore let the ‘fines’ settle out of the water before wastewater is released into water courses.
Examples of Tailing Dam and Slope Disasters
There have been a few instances in which a lack of detailed slope or tailing dam monitoring has proved fatal, from both past times and very recent times. The importance of monitoring slopes and tailing dams used for deposits of waste materials, whether they are wet or dry, cannot be overstated. If left to chance, mine and quarry owners leave the possibility of tragedy on the table, as can be seen all to clearly below.
Aberfan – South Wales
This point was highlighted during the Aberfan disaster in 1966, where 144 people lost their lives as 300,000 cubic yards of waste devastated parts of the Welsh village. Following on from the catastrophe, the legislation for regular checking of waste ‘dumps’ was tightened.
South East Congo
In June 2019, a mine owned by Glenmore collapsed in South East Congo. The tragedy saw 41 miners lose their lives as an old slope gave way in the KOV open pit mine and a considerable amount of materials came down on miners.
This was not the only accident to happen at this mine. Back in 2016, the KOV open pit mine claimed the lives of seven miners, following the folding of a 250 metre wall. Repeated mistakes at this particular mine suggests that the slope monitoring of the current mining surveyors has some integral flaws.
Vale Brumadinho Dam – Brazil
At the start of 2019, the Vale owned iron ore dam in Brazil was the location of a large scale slope collapse. The landslide killed 252 people as 11.7 million cubic metres of toxic mud infiltrated the small city of Brumadinho.
The seismic failure brought into question slope stability monitoring methods and what can be done to prevent such horrific mistakes. The application of laser scanning in mining survey and slope monitoring operations stands out as a key method of improving things. There is no excuse for a lack of proper care when the stakes are this high; even difficult or dangerous areas of a mining site can be surveyed with UAV drones for mines and quarries.
Implementing A Monitoring Scheme with Laser Scanning
To eradicate such mistakes reoccurring in the future, there needs to focus on implementing the latest technology to ultimately improve the way slopes are monitored and to guarantee complete safety. Recent failings have highlighted the need for technology to be used more frequently in the monitoring process and laser scanning is at the forefront. More and more individuals in the mining survey industry are finding that even underground laser scanning passes the test.
Our mining survey team are here to advise on and implement a monitoring scheme, while making use of the latest laser scanning technology, that provides complete control in slope monitoring and tailing dam monitoring. Laser scanning technology enables us to assess soft and unconsolidated zones in tailing dams and slopes before informing mine owners of the threat to workers in the area.
Work With Mining Survey Experts
Our established and highly experienced team of mining surveyors have almost 40 years of international experience, provide our monitoring and mining survey expertise to ensure safety and productivity. Contact us to learn more about our monitoring and laser scanning methods, to devise a monitoring scheme that solidifies the safety of the mine or quarry that you own or operate in.
