Risk Assessment of Tailings Disposal in a Portuguese Gold Mine Project. Contribution of Geostatistical Tools

• Type: Poster in an International Conference
• Date: 2016-02-08

Authors

Maria Cristina Vila (Author) FEUP; Joaquim Góis (Author) FEUP

Conference International

Third International Academic Symposium on Enchanced Landfill Mining - ELFM III (EURELCO)

Lisboa, 2 a 8 de fevereiro 2016

Indexing

Scopus

Scientific classification

CORDIS: Technological sciences > Technology > Mining

FOS: Engineering and technology

Other information

Subject: Risk Assessment of Tailings Disposal in a Portuguese Gold Mine Project. Contribution of Geostatistical Tools

Abstract (EN): The specific of the waste management of mining industry (landfills and tailings dams) impose the need of detailed closure and emergency plans, even in the pre-feasibility mine project. Risk management in mining waste disposal facilities implies policies aiming hazardous risk assessment as well as the implementation of mitigation and risk control programs. The present work is based on a case study involving the tailings dam of a Portuguese Gold Mine Project. A risk assessment considering an inventory of the different causes associated to a probability of a possible accident versus the severity of the consequences was established. As a result, different scenarios of rupture of the dam were established. Geostatistical tools were used to estimate and design flood maps in the event of collapse of the tailings dam. These flood maps allow not only an a priori evaluation of the areas eventually affected and the impact on neighbouring populations, but also constitute key elements in the implementation of emergency procedures that must accompany the life of the structure.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

Notes: The Symposium aims to bring together leading ELFM academics, industry and public body representatives, as well as civil society actors to exchange and share their experiences and research results about all aspects of Enhanced Landfill Mining: the integrated valorisation of landfilled waste streams as materials and energy, using innovative transformation and upcycling technologies while respecting the most stringent social and ecological criteria. It provides the premier interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary forum for researchers, practitioners and educators to present and discuss the most recent innovations, trends, and concerns, practical challenges encountered and the solutions adopted in the field of Enhanced Landfill Mining. ELFM III builds upon the two previous editions of the Symposium, which were held in Belgium in 2010 and 2013. Click here for the two previous editions. ELFM III welcomes in particular contributions that focus on the landfill mining of monolandfills containing industrial process residues, such as tailings, sludges, slags and ashes, which contain both base and critical metals.