Project Challenges
Raising the existing ‘live’ tailings dam wall by 1.5m and widening by 8m without any disruption to existing operations and maintaining access for mine personnel and vehicles throughout construction.
Project Approach & Objectives
Sections of the engineered embankment were required to be constructed on an alignment where “uncontrolled fill” had been placed. Significant material management and quality assurance conformance testing was undertaken on the material by the site team. Where conforming materials were identified, the works were sequenced to place suitable material directly into the fills from excavation. This approach minimised any double handling and reduced the volume of material
requiring stockpiling for reuse later.
Key Deliverables
- Construction of a zoned water retaining engineered embankment 1.5k long (average 8m high) using different materials from three (3) borrow areas
- Moisture conditioning and placement of this material within tight moisture tolerances
- Haul Road development and maintenance (3km long)
- Construction of HDPE Lined Spillway & stilling basin
- Clean water diversion drains including culvert crossings
