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WP2: Improved understanding of material properties and behaviour

There is today a lack in understanding of the behaviour of tailing materials, both physical and chemical, and of their impact on the environment.

One example is the liquefaction of tailings, likely the most common yet the least understood, failure mechanism for tailings dams (Davies et al., 2002). The tasks of WP2 include:

  • Improve and develop methods to characterise the physical properties of tailings material with lab and in-situ testing and literature review to characterize contractant/dilatant behaviour, in-situ density/void ratios, strength, effect of partial saturation, consolidation, etc.
     
  • Develop methods to identify geochemical parameters related to the prediction of the long-term weathering of tailings material, leaching behaviour and formation of secondary minerals, to understand the long-term impacts and design appropriate closure solutions.
     
  • Develop a statistical framework to quantify uncertainties.