Optimized design management of mining structures and waste rock piles

Our experts' solutions

First, our experts determined which sections of the waste rock storage facility were most critical for stability assessments using 3D simulations, and also relying on local team knowledge along with consideration of construction methodologies.

The proposed disposal sequence was designed to ensure overall stability, but also to delay water flow to the catchment areas, storage basins and the water treatment plant. In fact, upstream water retention reduces the risk of environmental spills, which can be significant given the size of the watersheds, which during the spring thaw, translates to some 40 million m³ of water requiring management over a 30-day period, at a flow rate of 14 m³/s.

In addition, several pits are being mined simultaneously at the mine, which produces two types of waste rock—fine and coarse—in volumes that vary over time. As such, our experts developed detailed short-, medium- and long-term disposal plans that factored in these considerations as well as other site activities, such as overall drainage during operation and closure, snow management and truck cycle times. Our plans also called for the construction of a berm to contain the waste rock within the designated storage area.

Eventually, the waste rock storage facilities designed by our experts will occupy an area of about 20 km² and contain about 2 billion m³ of waste rock. The staged waste rock piles will eventually reach heights of over 200 m in some areas.