Advancing Geotechnical Analysis: Microseismic Monitoring of a Tailings Dam Near an Operational Mining Pit in Cajati/Sp (Brazil)

• DOI: 10.2139/ssrn.4638907
• Publication Date: 2023-11-20T20:17:52Z
• Authors: Leonardo Santana...; Marco A. Braga; Maria Filipa Per...; Alan de Souza Cunha; Rodrigo Peluci d...
• Keywords: Microseism; Tailings dam

To support decarbonization initiatives, the mining sector is required to expand its production capacity, consequently leading utilization of dams for storing resulting tailings. These facilities, which are frequently built utilizing resources derived from process, undergo successive expansions in order deal with increasing volumes. As a consequence operational requirements imposed on these dams, they face heightened vulnerabilities that may result collapses, as evidenced by recent accidents Brazil. Due mentioned failures, Brazilian companies have been motivated explore alternative approaches complement conventional geotechnical monitoring techniques. The field applied geophysics holds promise complementing current techniques providing new data and analysis, can engineers evaluation risks associated tailings dams. Microseismic monitoring, including both traditional methods ANI (Ambient Noise Interferometry), has actively used Brazil among various geophysical available. continuous microseismic dam, represents an innovative implementation this technique, demonstrated favorable results past few years. A system was commissioned Cajati/SP monitor ground motions caused open pit corresponding accelerations particle velocities affect adjacent located approximately 2 km away pit. collected were reviewed comparison seismic criteria pseudostatic DIN 4150 vibration potential impact stiffness variation dam wall, shown temporal interferometry velocity variations (dv/v). had limited capacity cause damage changes noticed far smaller value, when compared prior researches. investigation recognized classified blasts induced events, originated operation, wave represented internal differences wall. study led conclusion application approach risk management, resulted significant data, information, analysis. findings serve valuable existing methods, their effort effectively, control maintain complex structures.