Coal mining tailings dam closure

ABSTRACT ONLY - The mining closure of tailings dams has gained evidence in nowadays due to the several dam failures with severe consequences to the population living downstream and to the environment. Proper closure design dam and monitoring can minimize the risk of failures. This study presents the study of case of one method to de-characterize a coal mining tailings dam, in south of Brazil. This paper demonstrating the process of the tailings dam adaptation and the monitoring needed for the final closure. Based on the knowledge of the geotechnical properties, geophysical surveys, SPT and CPTU tests, the environmental and structural constraints of the tailings dam, the project to adapt the tailings dam to a tailings landfill was developed. After the conclusion of the process of the tailing dam de-characterization a monitoring program was established based on the measurement of slope displacement, water level and water pressure at the landfill. The results show that the tailings landfill is consolidating, stable and adapting to the topography and landscaping conditions of the region.