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Engineering Geological Models and a Digital Modelling Solution for Tailings Management

Tailings and Mine Waste Conference (2023 : Vancouver, B.C.); University of British Columbia. Norman B. Keevil Institute of Mining Engineering

Topic II of the 2020 Global Industry Standard on Tailings Management (GISTM) requires the development, maintenance, and use of an interdisciplinary knowledge base, which includes the requirement (Requirement 2.2) for a site ground characterization (considered in part to be an Engineering Geological Model). The International Association for Engineering Geology and the Environment (IAEG) Guidelines for the Development and Application of Engineering Geological Models on Projects defines an Engineering Geological Model (EGM) as “a knowledge framework for the logical evaluation and interpretation of all of the geological conditions and their engineering characteristics that are of significance to a project.” An EGM comprises both conceptual and observational inputs and encompasses components of geology, geomorphology, hydrogeology, and geotechnical engineering. Tailings and construction materials are included in the EGM. From a Tailings Storage Facility (TSF) foundation and construction materials characterization perspective, the development of EGMs is pertinent to making robust engineering decisions (particularly those pertaining to stability and seepage) for facilities in any stage of their lifecycle, and to demonstrate the compliance of both new and historic facilities to relevant standards, guidelines, and edicts. Additionally, Topic II of GISTM requires a collaborative approach to data management with multi-disciplinary knowledge disseminated among all stakeholders to support informed decision making. This means EGMs must be both accessible and dynamic, set up in a way that allows data within the framework to be continually interrogated and updated. An EGM solution for tailings management is presented that focuses on the integration of softwares that contain the knowledge framework within a 3D digital model. The solution focuses on making data accessible and maintaining dynamic connections between stored investigation and monitoring data, developed digital models, and engineering analysis software. The EGMs, their digital models and accompanying databases serve as a single source of engineering geological truth for each facility.

Text

2023-12-08

Attribution-NonCommercialNoDerivatives 4.0 International

http://hdl.handle.net/2429/86796

Unreviewed

http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/