Tailings Facility Design, Operation, and Closure

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.

Course Content

This course comprises 21 viewing sessions, each of approximately 60 minutes duration, plus supporting figures, tables, case studies and interactive reviews that confirm your achievement of the learning objectives. The total duration of the course is approximately 19 hours.

Learning Outcomes

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

Course Requirements

• A degree or diploma in engineering, geology or environmental science.
• Experience in design, construction or operation of large waste structures in mining.

Jack Caldwell P.E., MS.(Eng.), LLB

Jack Caldwell, P.Eng, has a B.Sc. in Civil Engineering, an M.Sc. (Eng.) in Geotechnical Engineering and a post-graduate law degree. He has over 35 years engineering experience on mining, civil, geotechnical and site remediation projects. He has worked on numerous projects throughout southern Africa, Europe, Latin America, Canada, and the United States. His project experience includes:

- mines and waste disposal facilities - design, construction supervision and reclamation of tailings impoundments, mine rock dumps, heap leach pads, landfills and radioactive waste disposal units;

- hazardous and radioactive waste site remediation - senior management and technical consultant

- landfills - design, construction, operation and closure with special focus on liners, covers, and soil reinforcement.

In addition, Mr. Caldwell has been the lead specialist for various geotechnical and civil engineering projects in Southern California. Mr. Caldwell has written many engineering reports, proposals, and technical papers. He is the lead author of the book, Principles and Practice of Waste Encapsulation, on the design of waste disposal facilities for radioactive and hazardous wastes.

• Geotechnical Engineering for Mine GeoWaste Facilities
• Groundwater in Mining
• Mine Closure: The Basics of Success