GEM Mining Consulting has confirmed its technology stack is capable of detecting anomalous movement patterns in tailings storage facilities (TSF) that may serve as early warning signs of ‘catastrophic’ failures.
In GEM’s study, satellite-based interferometric synthetic aperture radar (InSAR) technology was applied through the small baseline subset method at four major tailings storage facilities.
Two of the facilities – Brumaddinho and Cadia – experienced catastrophic failures, while the other two Chilean deposits – Ovejería and Las Tórtolas – were stable.
Speaking to Mining.com.au, GEM senior business development officer Sebastián Faúndez says the key objectives of the study was to understand, compare, and contrast the stable tailing dumps with those that have suffered collapse or failures on their walls.
A tailings dump, also referred to as a TSF, is a designated area where waste material from mining and mineral processing operations are stored.
“Something that was interesting is that usually the pattern you should see on the deformations on these dumps is that you are increasing in time on the volume because you are filling in with the dam with those streams that come from the processing lines,” Faúndez says.
“What we found in the case, for example at Brunmadino, was that you had a decrease in this signal so there was a deformation and the whole structure was going down.”
At Brumadinho, the collapse was preceded by a progressive subsidence of more than 100mm over ten months. Meanwhile in comparison, at Cadia, a 30mm subsidence was detected in just 12 days, indicating an accelerated structural failure.
“What is interesting is that seeing these two different patterns was only possible with this technique,” Faúndez says.
The Brumadinho disaster, which claimed more than 270 lives, exposed the urgent need to innovate in tailings dam monitoring systems.
GEM says the application of technologies such as InSAR enables mining companies to enhance risk management, comply with international standards and strengthen public trust in the safety of their operations.
In contrast, the Ovejería and Las Tórtolas tailings dams showed smooth displacement patterns, with no unusual accelerations or propagation demonstrating structural stability.
GEM says with this study it aims to provide evidence of the potential of InSAR technology to anticipate failures and to contribute to a mining industry that is safer, more responsible, and technologically advanced.
GEM Mining Consulting is an industrial engineering company focused on supporting the mining industry in management and economics.
Write to Aaliyah Rogan at Mining.com.au
Images: GEM Mining Consulting
