Ausenco is a leading global provider of engineering and project management
services to the resource and energy sectors. We combine ingenuity with insight to
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Tailings and mine waste management
Environment and sustainability
Tailings and mine waste management
Ausenco is a leading global provider of engineering and project management services to the resource and energy sectors. We combine ingenuity with insight to deliver effective end-to-end solutions for our clients. Our professionals offer expertise across every aspect of the resource and energy sectors — in areas including mineral processing; pipelines; transportation systems; ports and terminals; infrastructure; and conventional, renewable and alternative energies. We’re also experts in optimising performance through tailored operations and maintenance solutions, and in providing environmental and sustainability strategies that deliver benefits for projects, communities and the environment. We’re skilled in every phase of the project lifecycle. From initial concept through to operation and closure, our people can assess, plan, cost, design and construct ingenious solutions that add value and support your return on investment.
Our track record includes tailings storage dams and impoundments in wet and dry climates, at high elevations, in active seismic regions, and in some of the most remote mine locations.
Delivering sustainable solutions for a cleaner environment Today, the environment and sustainability are key considerations across the energy and resources sectors. We care about the environments in which we operate globally, and work with our clients and communities to deliver the best outcomes for all. Our professional strengths in geotechnical, civil, hydrological, hydrogeological and environmental sciences enable us to deliver practical solutions that fulfil our clients’ sustainability strategies. We are experienced in: • adhering to local and regional sustainable development considerations • using sustainability concepts to drive innovation in the design phase • applying management systems in the construction phase to deliver projects on specification, on time, on budget and without safety incidents • using triple-bottom-line decision-making processes to optimise performance during all phases of a project. We have a long track record in developing effective, sustainable systems for managing tailings and mine waste.
Reflexion of the geomembrane over the tailings pond, PanAmerican Silver, La Colorada mine, Mexico
Managing waste effectively and sustainably Ausenco has extensive experience in designing a variety of tailings-storage facilities, including in difficult terrain and challenging climatic conditions. We have designed more than 100 tailings dams and 200 heap-leach pad projects across the globe. We’re one of the world’s leaders in the field, with a track record that includes tailingsstorage dams and impoundments in wet and dry climates, at high elevations, in active seismic regions, and in some of the most remote mine locations. We offer end-to-end solutions for both the design and civil quality assurance of tailingsstorage facilities. Our mine waste systems include waste dump management, embankment dams, borrow source evaluations, general, civil, and foundations.
Our experience
Project Pascua Lama Location Chile–Argentina border Client Barrick Gold Year 2004–ongoing Description Located at high altitude on the border between Argentina and Chile, this project at the Pascua Lama gold–silver mine presented technical, environmental, and health and safety challenges. Ausenco’s role included: • developing the detailed design and permitting package for the tailings facility • completing the design for the site hydrology, surface water diversion and detention system.
Mitigation of environmental and social impacts has been a driver for developing sustainable designs for each facility. Key considerations have included: • community water demands and riparian flow management, including improved reliability of community water sources • post-closure uses of the tailings-storage facility site in relation to closure landform • state-of-the-practice application of geocomposite and soil liners.
Project Cerro Matoso Ferronickel Mine Location Montelibano, Colombia Client BHP Billiton — Cerro Matoso SA Year 2011 Description Ausenco reviewed the stability of the Sajana tailings dam at the Cerro Matoso ferronickel mine after changes to the use of cyclones created uncertainty regarding the dam’s geotechnical performance. We conducted a geotechnical desktop study for the tailings dam, including • numeric model calibration to compare the original design with actual geotechnical conditions • a hydrogeological model, including water balance, flow direction and watertable estimation • a conceptual liquefaction analysis to identify potential tailings dam failure due to dynamic load (earthquake).
To learn more about our experience in sustainable management of tailings and mine waste, contact us via email
[email protected] or visit our website www.ausenco.com
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Ausenco’s technical solutions included provisions to control acid-rock drainage, minimise hydrological disturbance, and optimise the use of local waste rather than disturbing untouched areas for borrow materials.
Project Corani Location Puno, Peru Client Bear Creek Mining Corporation Description Bear Creek Mining Corporation is developing the Corani silver-gold exploration project, located approximately 4,300 m above sea level in Puno, Peru. Ausenco has undertaken investigation, analysis, design and cost estimate development services for several facilities.
