Friction: Edition 12 | October 2023
FROM THE EDITOR
How the mining industry monitors tailings dams has evolved over the years with advancements in technology, AI and research and development.
In this month’s edition, we dive deep into the complex structures that are tailings dams and how the future need for development, training and upskilling must not be ignored.
Paul Davies from GroundProbe discusses the advancements in tailings dams technology with Leo Probst, where both experts look at the past to prepare for the future to ensure optimal safety and reduced risk for both miners and communities.
Keith Mandisodza from Cartledge Mining and Geotechnics also shares his knowledge on developing new framework to achieve better tailings dams governance and management.
We also sat down with Adam Beer, principal geotechnical engineer from AMC Consultants to understand what motivates him each day and why he is passionate about the geotechnical engineering space.
We also look at what’s happening in the industry across the globe, from news and trends as well as upcoming events.
Don’t forget to checkout Friction’s Associations Directory.
Regards,
Tim Cartledge
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The evolution of monitoring tailings dams across the globe
By Paul Davies, Commercial Manager, Australasia, GroundProbe Australia
In this article, GroundProbe’s Paul Davies discusses the approach to preventing tailings dam disasters with expert, Leo Probst. Here, they reflect on the past catastrophic tailings dams events and how new advancements in technology can ensure optimal safety and reduced risk for both miners and communities.
Developing new framework to achieve better tailings dams’ governance and management
Ensuring that guidelines for tailings dams are implemented and conformed to by mining operators is important. In this article, we hear from principal geotechnical engineer Keith Mandisodza at Cartledge Mining and Geotechnics about why developing new frameworks is essential to achieving better governance and management.
Q&A with Adam Beer
Everyone has a story to tell and this this month, we asked Adam Beer, Principal Geotechnical Engineer at AMC Consultants, the hard questions. From learning about how he got his start in the industry to hearing what trends he believes will become more important in coming years’, Adam shares some profound insight into geotechnical mining.
NEWS, PUBLICATIONS AND UPDATES
Plate tectonics in the twenty-first century
Through the influence of technology, geotechnical engineers are now understanding plate tectonics in a more in-depth manner. In their recent article, Geology Page looks at plate tectonics and how over the past five decades significant advancements have been made.
Unearthing the role of geotechnical software in open pit mining
The rise of technology has done amazing things for the geotechnical engineering community, the most important being improving safety. In his latest article Dr. Manoj Verman from the ISRM Commission on Hard Rock Excavation discusses the impact that technology has had on site safety as well as open pit mining.
Deformation analyses of tailings dams
High-Fidelity seismic intensity measure (IM), creating a more accurate ground motion reading.
The team at SKR Consulting have released a paper on the deformation analysis of tailings dams under dynamic conditions and how High-Fidelity seismic intensity measure is a critical step in ensuring tailings dam safety.
ICOLD 2023: Risk Assessment of Tailings Dams
Looking at the current state of practice of risk assessment for tailings dams, building upon the principles outlined in Bulletin 194, the International Commission on Large Dams shares the Tailings Dams Risk Assessment Short Course proceedings from ICOLD 2023.
Join the conversation: how do you apply the principles of performance-based design to geotechnical engineering problems?
Over on LinkedIn, the geotechnical community are discussing the best approaches to applying principles of performance-based design in geotechnical engineering. If you have insights you’d like to share, join the conversation.
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