ROSEBERY TAILINGS DAM
As part of long term planning to extend the life of the mine at the Rosebery site, and achieve the best environmental outcomes, MMG engaged ATC Williams to engineer methodology to address some minor historical seepage into the Stitt River, increase capacity and dam safety, and extend the life of the old 2/5 tailings dam in the town of Rosebery.
The mine mainly produces lead, zinc, and copper, as well as gold and silver, and has been operating for 82 years.
"Conditions during construction were very challenging, with over 1 metre of rain during the first month alone, high wind
events, and snow. Geotas, with the help of Aeramix Pty Ltd, developed efficient methodology for the deployment of the
liner, including a specially constructed hydraulic spreader bar... which was used to pick up the 1,800 kg rolls, and accurately place the liner with a 200mm overlap. This enabled installation of over 6,000 square metres per day..."
Geotas installed 190,000 m² net area of the Teranap 531 liner and 250,000 m² of upper and lower bidim cushioning geotextile.
CQA on site was refined with the assistance of ATC Williams, and included trial weld shear testing, visual and air lance testing of every seam, and trowelling of the molten material at welding. Vacuum box testing was also performed on all three way overlaps. In every instance on site where the liner was placed under tension for various reasons, there was no observed failure of any welded seam, which provided us with great comfort that the process was extremely robust.
