Por: K. Travezaño y J. Inca, Temra Laboratorio Perú, y F. Pérez, Kest Consulting.

Abstract

The Global Industry Standard on Tailings Management (GISTM) has driven mining operations toward improved management and governance of tailings storage facilities. Among its guidelines is the implementation of Dam Break Analysis (DBA), which aims to identify vulnerable areas and estimate impacts on downstream populations and infrastructure throughout all phases of the facility’s life cycle, including closure and post-closure. Additionally, the Canadian Dam Association (CDA) proposed guidelines for Tailings Dam Breach Analysis (TDBA), addressing hydrodynamic, geotechnical, and rheological aspects.

This study reviews both analyses, together with the available numerical approaches, considering hydrodynamic modeling, flow phases, and computational capacity, while also analyzing experimental research on the influence of the physical, chemical, mineralogical, and rheological properties of tailings. 

All these properties are necessary for a comprehensive characterization of tailings; however, it is the rheological properties of these biphasic fluids (solid-liquid) that are most susceptible to variation due to changes in the parameters governing the other properties mentioned, potentially causing the material to behave as either a non-Newtonian or Newtonian flow.

The results obtained provide a basis for proposing new lines of research. Likewise, this study will be useful for dam engineers and other professionals in the field, enabling them to comply with industry standards and implement innovative methodologies in their projects.