Course Introduction

Design and Operation of Large Waste Dumps

Version: December 20 2005

Tim Eaton MSc P.Eng (Editor) Scott Broughton (Co-Author) Klohn-Crippen Consultants Ltd. (Co-Author) Piteau Associates Engineering Ltd. (Co-Author) Under Licence from the British Columbia Ministry of Energy and Mines - Mine Dump Committee

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Introduction

Mine waste rock and overburden dumps are massive structures. Mountain top coal mines in British Columbia are constructing the largest man-made structures on the face of the earth. These immense waste dumps are often up to 400 meters high, contain in excess of one billion cubic meters of material, and often form mid-valley fills or rock drains. Instability of the structures has caused increased concern by mine operators and government regulators because of risk to the safety of personnel, equipment and infrastructure, and their impact on the environment.

In mid-1990 representatives of industry, CANMET, and the Ministries of Environment, and Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources formed the Mine Waste Rock Pile Research Committee to foster research work and ensure a common understanding of these waste dumps.

Design and Operation of Large Waste Dumps is based on three of the documents resulting from a series of studies directed at improving our understanding of behaviour and developing a consistent database for waste dumps ... Investigation and Design Manual (1991), Operating and Monitoring Manual (1991) and Review and Evaluation of Failures (1992). Prominent geotechnical consultants and industry representatives have contributed their expertise to the studies.

The studies are being widely distributed by the Ministry of Energy, Mines And Petroleum Resources in the hope that all concerned with mine dumps will find them useful in establishing dumps that are stable, safe, and economically feasible.

Course Content

The full course consists of 19 viewing sessions of 30-60 minutes each, plus supporting figures and tables and interactive reviews. Appendices include detailed reporting of dump failures and dump operating procedures in BC. Course duration is equivalent to approximately 25 hours of viewing content.

Learning Outcomes

Participants gain an in-depth, practical knowledge of dump investigation, analysis, design, operating, monitoring and reporting procedures and methods, and an appreciation of environmental and safety issues and the regulatory permitting process in BC.

Course Requirements

Design and Operation of Large Waste Dumps is intended as both a course and a technical reference for an audience of mine operators, consultants, regulators and final year/graduate students in the mining and geotechnical sectors.

Course Certification

This course qualifies for EduMine Certification. A certificate will be issued to an EduMine enrollee who registers for certification and successfully completes the certification requirements. The total certification fee for this course is Can$315.

2.5 CEUs (Continuing Education Units) will be awarded for successful completion of certification requirements for this course. EduMine meets the Criteria for Certification established by the Authorized Provider Commission of The International Association for Continuing Education and Training, 1620 Eye Street, N.W., Suite 615, Washington, DC 20006.

To register for certification for this course use the "Register for Certification" link above or below on the right.

UBC Certificate in Mining Studies

This course qualifies as online learning for the University of British Columbia - Certificate in Mining Studies in the Geotechnical and Rock Mechanics stream. Students who complete the certification requirements for this course may optionally register for the Certificate in Mining Studies program and complete the associated classroom component. For further information click UBC Certificate in Mining Studies.

[Note: Participation in the UBC Certificate in Mining Studies program is optional. For EduMine certification proceed as described under Course Certification above.]

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