Abstract
Abstract In this paper, a qualitative safety analysis of the Żelazny Most tailings pond is addressed. This object is one of the largest facilities of this type in the world being a crucial element in the technological line of copper production in KGHM Polska Miedź S.A. The assessment of the effectiveness of two types of preventive measures, i.e., relief wells and loading berms, is investigated based on displacement and stability analysis of two 2D cross-sections in a technical section of the dam. The study shows that the considered preventive measures generally have a positive impact on increasing the safety level of the structure during its further raise. In particular, their effectiveness is most evident when they are applied simultaneously. It is eventually suggested that the selection of final solutions to be applied on the facility should be based on the quantitative 3D analysis.
Highlights
Tailings ponds play an essential role in the mining industry
In addition to that, according to Rico, Benito, & Diez-Herrero (2008) and Rico, Benito, Salgueiro, et al (2008), the following characteristics make tailings dams more vulnerable to safety issues: lack of regulations on specific design criteria; lack of dam stability requirements regarding continuous monitoring and control during construction
To restrain them and improve dam stability, three types of technical solutions have been implemented: – Construction of loading berms – Installation of a relief wells system – Moving the dam crest toward the center of the pond. Two of these measures loading berms and relief wells, considered in the analyses presented later in the paper are described in detail below
Summary
Tailings ponds play an essential role in the mining industry. The main purpose of constructing such facilities is to enable the storage of post-mining waste. A safety analysis, in the qualitative sense, of the Żelazny Most tailings pond is carried out. This object is located in southwestern Poland and is an extremely important facility for the further development of an international corporation KGHM Polska Miedź S.A. The assessment of the effectiveness of two types of preventive measures, i.e., relief wells and loading berms, is performed. The purpose of the analysis is to obtain a qualitative assessment whether the technological measures applied in this area meet the assumptions with respect to the increase in the level of the dam safety.
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