Our Expertise
GeoTails Consulting offers expert guidance from a specialized team, delivering agile, innovative, and cost-effective solutions precisely tailored to meet client needs. Our core areas of expertise include:
Geotechnical Engineering and Design
Our geotechnical team offers in-depth expertise in the engineering and design of stable, resilient mine waste facilities tailored to the unique demands of mining and resource projects. From initial feasibility studies to detailed design and construction support, we ensure the highest standards of structural integrity and safety.
Our areas of expertise encompass a comprehensive range of services designed to meet the unique needs of the mining and resource sectors.
We specialize in:
Scoping and supervision of geotechnical site investigation
Scoping and supervision of geotechnical site investigations, leveraging in-depth experience with diverse ground and man-made structure conditions, as well as geotechnical risks, to ensure accurate, safe data collection and informed decision-making for successful project development.
Materials characterization and geotechnical interpretation
Soil and mine tailings characterization, employing a holistic geotechnical interpretation approach that integrates geological setting, in-situ and laboratory test results to develop representative material parameters, provides essential insights for reliable engineering solutions and supports the design and construction of safe, reliable, and efficient tailings, waste, and water-retaining structures
Geotechnical stability and deformation analysis
Geotechnical stability and deformation analysis under both static and seismic loadings using Best Available Technology (BAT) and extensive expertise to evaluate structural integrity and safety, providing critical insights for the design and stability of tailings and water dams throughout the mine lifecycle and into closure.
Tailings and water dams engineering and design
Comprehensive engineering and design of tailings and water dams, encompassing foundation design, seepage management, cut-off key installations, zoning, filter and drainage systems, instrumentation, operational requirements, and value optimization to provide safe and efficient containment solutions tailored to site-specific needs.
Liquefaction and brittleness assessment and control
Assessment of liquefaction and strain softening potential in dam and foundation materials to inform stability considerations and minimize impacts on the performance of Tailings Storage Facilities (TSFs).
Ground improvement methods
Soil treatment to enhance stability using various methods, including in-situ deep densification, precompression with or without vertical drains, injection and grouting, admixture stabilization, application of geosynthetic products and soil reinforcement.
Geotechnical numerical modelling
Advanced numerical modeling to simulate deformation under both static and seismic loadings for Tailings Storage Facilities (TSFs), ensuring stability assessments meet acceptable performance requirements.
Tailings dam raise, remedial studies and seepage interception design
Tailings dam raise design tailored to meet operational requirements and constraints in alignment with the Life of Mine (LoM) strategy. We provide remedial design solutions to enhance the stability and seepage performance of existing structures, ensuring compliance with regulatory conditions and industry standards.
Construction support and management
Construction assistance services, encompassing supervision, Quality Assurance (QA), and Quality Control (QC), with a comprehensive geotechnical testing program, borrow material selection, and inspection of key areas and hold points by qualified geotechnical engineers to ensure alignment with the design intent. We deliver complete construction documentation, including certified as-built reports and drawings, to support project success and regulatory compliance.
Tailings and Waste Management
With a commitment to environmental stewardship and safety, we provide comprehensive tailings and waste management services, including planning, design, and implementation of tailings storage facilities (TSFs). Our solutions emphasize both operational efficiency and environmental protection, meeting stringent regulatory standards and client expectations.
Our areas of expertise provide comprehensive, client-focused solutions tailored to the mining and resource industries.
We specialize in:
Scoping and feasibility studies
Scoping and feasibility studies to evaluate project viability, identify potential options with their opportunities and challenges, and establish a strong foundation for informed decision-making and strategic planning.
Tailings dam design and certification
Tailings dam design and certification to ensure compliance with regulatory standards, prioritize safety, and deliver reliable, effective containment solutions tailored to project requirement.
TSF hazard classification
Consequence Category Assessment (CCA) of Tailings Storage Facilities (TSFs) to establish appropriate design criteria and operational requirements, ensuring risk management aligns with regulatory and safety standards.
Tailings deposition modelling
Tailings deposition modeling that utilizes slurry tailings operational parameters and containment characteristics to effectively manage tailings storage, water balance, and storage capacity, thereby supporting ongoing TSF management and expansion planning.
Mine water management
Comprehensive mine water management to optimize water usage, control discharge, and ensure environmental compliance, with integrated water return systems, enhanced water reliability, and a focus on water reuse for sustainable operations throughout the mining lifecycle.
Tailings dam safety inspection and reporting
Tailings dam safety inspection and reporting services, including annual, event-driven, and comprehensive inspections, conducted in accordance with industry guidelines to ensure safe operation, alignment with design intent, and regulatory compliance.
TSF operation support and critical controls
Developing an Operations, Maintenance, and Surveillance (OMS) manual that outlines performance objectives and incorporates site-specific risk controls, including Trigger Action Response Plans (TARPs), to provide operators with best practices tailored to the facility's operations, ensuring sustained integrity and effectiveness throughout the facility lifecycle.
Emergency preparedness and response
Providing support to tailings dam operators in developing an Emergency Preparedness and Response Plan (EPRP) to address unusual scenarios, including potential dam failure. This ensures readiness and effective response to protect human life, minimize property damage, and reduce environmental harm during unplanned or emergency events.
Instrumentation and monitoring
Instrumentation and monitoring services to track and evaluate tailings dam performance, enhancing dam safety and ensuring alignment with the design intent. Our approach focuses on obtaining critical data through site-specific instrumentation and a tailored monitoring regime that addresses the unique conditions and potential failure modes of each site and structure.
Waste Rock Dump (WRD) and Heap Leach engineering and design
Waste Rock Dump (WRD) and Heap Leach engineering, design and instrumentation services, focused on creating stable, efficient, and environmentally sustainable structures that meet site-specific conditions and regulatory requirements.
Progressive rehabilitation and closure design
Progressive rehabilitation and closure design to sustainably restore sites over time, ensuring environmental compliance, minimizing long-term liabilities, meeting closure criteria and supporting reclamation efforts as operations transition toward closure.
Surface Water Management
We deliver tailored surface water management solutions that address site-specific challenges, prioritize environmental protection, and ensure full regulatory compliance, supporting sustainable operations at every stage.
Our area of expertise include:
Hydrology and catchment assessment
Comprehensive analysis of hydrological processes to understand water flow and catchment characteristics.
Stormwater management
Solutions for effective stormwater control, minimizing flood risks and protecting site infrastructure.
Hydraulic structure design
Design of hydraulic structures, including various types of spillways, energy dissipation systems, diversion channels, and decant systems, tailored to site-specific needs to ensure resilience, efficiency, and optimal performance.
Water balance modelling
Comprehensive site-wide water balance modelling, incorporating a detailed water inventory to accurately assess water inputs and outputs, supports operational balance and optimizes resource efficiency.
Dam break modelling
Advanced dam break modelling studies to predict and mitigate risks associated with potential water and tailings dams breaches, ensuring proactive risk management and site safety.
Erosion and sediment control studies
Site-specific erosion and sediment control solutions, including soil loss assessment and tailored erosion and sedimentation control measures, to safeguard site integrity and protect surrounding ecosystems.
Computational Fluid Dynamic (CFD) modelling
Advanced CFD modeling to simulate complex flow behaviour, allowing for the optimization of surface water management structures to enhance efficiency and reliability.
Innovative Tailings Disposal Solutions
GeoTails Consulting specializes in delivering innovative tailings disposal methods that significantly enhance water efficiency, reduce environmental impact, and support effective site closure and rehabilitation. Our advanced approaches are designed to optimize tailings management, promoting sustainable mining practices.
Our Key Solutions:
Thickened and paste tailings
We provide thickened and paste tailings solutions that optimize water recovery, enhance dam stability, and reduce environmental impact. By increasing tailings density, this method maximizes storage efficiency, minimizes water loss, reduces seepage, and lowers storage footprint, making it a sustainable and efficient approach for safer tailings management.
Filtered (Dry Stack) tailings
GeoTails provides filtered (dry stack) tailings solutions that eliminate the need for traditional tailings dams. By removing excess water, this method produces a stable, stackable material, maximizing water recovery, reducing environmental risks, and simplifying site closure and rehabilitation. It’s a sustainable option for improving operational safety and minimizing long-term liabilities.
Co-disposal of coarse waste and tailings
We specialize in co-disposal of coarse waste and tailings, integrating these materials into a stable mass deposit. For example, in coal mining, it’s possible to combine coal washery coarse and fine rejects, pump them together, and co-dispose this stream. This method eliminates the need for additional construction materials for retaining embankments, optimizes land use, enhances structural stability, and reduces environmental impact—providing a sustainable solution that simplifies site rehabilitation and closure.
In-pit tailings storage
GeoTails provides in-pit tailings storage solutions, where tailings can be placed in completed open pits as slurry, thickened, filtered, or combined with waste rock. This approach minimizes the need for new surface storage facilities, reduces environmental impact, and enhances water management. In-pit placement often simplifies site rehabilitation, offering a cost-effective and sustainable solution for long-term closure and stability.
Underground tailings backfill
GeoTails offers underground tailings backfill solutions, where dewatered tailings are used to fill mined-out voids, sometimes reinforced with cement for increased stability. This approach improves underground support, reduces the demand for surface storage, and lowers environmental impact, while contributing to safer mine operations and streamlined site closure.
Governance and Compliance Support
GeoTails assists mining companies in strengthening tailings management governance by providing expert engineering services that support the development and implementation of effective tailings management systems throughout the entire project lifecycle. Our approach ensures compliance, optimizes operational safety, and promotes sustainable practices for long-term environmental stewardship.
Engineer of Record (EOR) service
Providing dedicated EOR services to oversee the safe development and management of tailings facilities, ensuring they are designed, constructed, and operated in full compliance with industry standards and best practices throughout the facility's lifespan.
Risk assessment and management
Comprehensive risk assessment services throughout the tailings facility lifecycle, applying tailored methodologies for each stage—from conceptual design to detailed planning—to identify, evaluate, and mitigate risks and assist in the decision-making process. Key frameworks include Multiple Accounts Analysis (MAA), Failure Modes and Effects Analysis (FMEA), and Enterprise Risk Assessment (ERA).
Independent review
Offering objective, third-party assessments to validate design, construction, and operational practices, ensuring compliance and safety.
Due diligence studies
Performing thorough evaluations to support informed decision-making, identifying potential liabilities, and assessing operational integrity.
Permitting and approvals assistance
Guiding clients through the permitting process, facilitating compliance with regulatory requirements, and expediting project approvals.
Reporting and documentation
Providing comprehensive documentation and reporting to maintain transparency, support governance, and meet regulatory obligations.
