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The Committee on Tailings Dams provides a forum for exchange of knowledge and experience in tailings dam design, operational performance, and reclamation. The committee provides a forum for exchange of information within members of the committee as well as a vehicle for dissemination of information from the committee to interested persons involved with tailings dam design, operation, and regulation. Dissemination of information from the committee is primarily through documents published by USSD or ICOLD.
The objectives of the committee are consistent with the current Terms of Reference for the ICOLD Committee on Tailings Dams and Waste Lagoons, which are summarized below.
To provide a forum for discussion and for exchange of knowledge and experience in tailings dam engineering amongst engineers throughout the world. Its objectives are to encourage improvement in all phases of the design, construction, operation, and reclamation of tailings dams and other structures that contain liquids or semi-solids, together with their associated engineering works. The Committee will gather relevant information and study questions concerning technical and environmental aspects of tailings dam development, with particular emphasis on overall dam safety. Close liaison is promoted between ICOLD and ISSFME committees studying tailings dams.
Recent and current projects conducted by the USSD Committee on Tailings Dams are listed below.
- The committee prepared a document entitled Tailings Dam Incidents that was published by USSD in 1994. The document is a summary of a review of tailings dam failures or performance that was not as designed, with comparisons made between incidents and types of structure.
- The committee is currently preparing a document entitled Environmental Issues Affecting Tailings Dams. The document is written for engineers and designers summarizing the key environmental issues affecting tailings dam design, operation, and reclamation.
- The committee is starting preparation of the document Guidelines for Design, Operation, and Closure of Tailings Dams. The document would be prepared for engineers, designers and regulators summarizing the design guidelines for static and seismic stability, seepage, settlement, and other key analysis parameters for tailings dams.
Further information may be obtained by contacting the Committee Chairperson:
- Michael E. Henderson
- Vector Colorado LLC
- 603 Park Point Drive, #250
- Golden, CO 80401
- Telephone: 303-217-5700
- Fax: 303-217-5705
- e-mail: henderson@vectoreng.com
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