A multinational mining, metals and petroleum company engaged us to identify the best tailings dam options for a large, open cut coking coal mine in Queensland. The company anticipated the current storage facility will reach its capacity by March 2019. In preparation for this, they sought to identify and evaluate medium-term storage options with minimal impact on the mine’s operations.
Informing Decisions
We created a strategy that identified the best storage options and that:
- Maximises storage life with low operational risk
- Maximises operational flexibility
- Minimises capital and operating expenditures.
Working alongside the client, we identified suitable tailings dam locations and assessed the:
- Impacts on current and future mining operations
- Land tenure
- Environmental impact
- Compliance requirements
- Embankment design
- Water management strategy
Our team developed conceptual designs for each of the recommended locations.
Preparing for the Future
In the short term, the company decided to extend its current storage facility. With our study, the company can confidently assess the mine’s medium-term tailings storage options when required.
