Floods from tailings dam failures

Abstract

This paper compiles the available information on historic tailings dam failures with the purpose to establish simple correlations between tailings ponds geometric parameters (e.g., dam height, tailings volume) and the hydraulic characteristics of floods resulting from released tailings. Following the collapse of a mining waste dam, only a part of tailings and polluted water stored at the dam is released, and this outflow volume is difficult to estimate prior the incident. In this study, tailings' volume stored at the time of failure was shown to have a good correlation (r2=0.86) with the tailings outflow volume, and the volume of spilled tailings was correlated with its run-out distance (r2=0.57). An envelope curve was drawn encompassing the majority of data points indicating the potential maximum downstream distance affected by a tailings' spill. The application of the described regression equations for prediction purposes needs to be treated with caution and with support of on-site measurement and observations. However, they may provide a universal baseline approximation on tailing outflow characteristics (even if detailed dam information is unavailable), which is of a great importance for risk analysis purposes.

Chemical composition and minerals in pyrite ash of an abandoned sulphuric acid production plant

“…It is hoped that the results will serve as a reference for similar studies in other countries where sulphuric acid has been produced from pyrite (Kawatra et al, 2002;Pérez-López et al, 2009;Rico et al, 2008a and2008b;Zeilinski et al, 2010). Given the extent of production of roasted sulphides and the limited literature available on their potential impact on the environment, the information presented in this paper (especially with regard to nanoparticles) may be of value in designing remediation strategies for roasted pyrite ash storage systems distributed around the world (Gupta et al, 1996;Kawatra et al, 2002;Lin and Qvarfort, 1996;Pérez-López et al, 2009;Salomons, 1995;Zouboulis et al, 1993).…”

The 27 May 1937 catastrophic flow failure of gold tailings at Tlalpujahua, Michoacán, Mexico

“…Rico et al (2008b) documented 147 cases worldwide of dam tailings failures triggered by 16 different factors, including management operations, seismic liquefaction, rise of the phreatic surface, mass movement slope instability, fluvial undermining, inadequate/insufficient beach or free board, piping/seepage, dam overtopping/overflow, foundation failure, water level rise, snowmelt, inadequate decant pipe construction, unusual rainfall event, insufficient perviousness of filter drain, mine subsidence, and structural failure. However, the most common incidences were caused by unusual rain/snow periods, accounting for as much as 26 % of all factors, or 39 % for a combination of one or two factors (Rico et al, 2008a). As documented by these authors, breaching floods are usually composed of highly water-saturated oozy sediment, which exhibits a wide range of fluid behavior from debris flows to muddy floodwater (Rico et al, 2008a).…”

“…However, the most common incidences were caused by unusual rain/snow periods, accounting for as much as 26 % of all factors, or 39 % for a combination of one or two factors (Rico et al, 2008a). As documented by these authors, breaching floods are usually composed of highly water-saturated oozy sediment, which exhibits a wide range of fluid behavior from debris flows to muddy floodwater (Rico et al, 2008a). Considering outflow volume versus runout distance, these authors grouped these floods into two categories: (1) floods with high-viscosity spilled mine waste and (2) floods with large volume of water within the tailings dam (70-85 %) related to heavy rains and dam overtopping.…”

The failure of the Stava Valley tailings dams (Northern Italy): numerical analysis of the flow dynamics and rheological properties

“…Rico et al (2008b) documented 147 cases of dam tailings failures worldwide, triggered by 16 different factors, including management operations, seismic liquefaction, rises in the phreatic surface, slope instability, fluvial undermining, inadequate/insufficient beach or free board, piping/seepage, dam overtopping/overflowing, foundation failure, snowmelt, inadequate decant pipe construction, unusual rainfall events, insufficient efficiency of the filter drain, incorrect prediction of mine subsidence, and structural failure.…”