Training Host: Knight Piésold Southern Africa
Date: March 24, 2020

Course objectives

Tailings dams are a critical element in most mine operations and require sustainable management over the life of the mine in line with modern day "risk management" approaches. Very little formal education is included in University/College courses, leaving a knowledge gap around tailings management.

Recent failures show that TSFs need to be properly designed and then in partnership with the operator, that they are correctly constructed, commissioned, operated and closed. Many tailings guidelines have been revised to improve holistic management of TSFs, including technical, social, environmental and governance responsibilities, with ultimate responsibility at an executive level.

This training will provide up-to-date information on to how to plan, implement, operate and sustainably manage tailings dams in a safe and effective manner consistent with various Government and "duty of care" obligations.

Who should attend

This training is designed for those involved in design, construction, operation, maintenance and decommissioning of tailings dams. Delegates should include mine management and operation personnel working with the mining industry.

Course fee

• ZMK3500 per delegate
• Free entry for senior managers and executives for session two

Course presenter

Andrew Copeland is a Director of KP RSA and the Technical Director Mining of KP Africa and is based at Knight Piésold’s Head Office in Johannesburg. He has had extensive exposure to international mining industry and to the full chain of mining activities and project stages.

Andrew is a technical specialist in the area of mineral residue management and has a thorough understanding of the associated infrastructure, environmental, social and economic aspects, including paste and thickened tailings.

He has substantial experience in civil geotechnics, heap leach facilities and mine infrastructure. Andrew has also written guidelines and standards for mine residue facilities and carried out numerous audits around the world. Andrew is the Engineer of Record at a number of tailings facilities.

Course outline

Session one

• Design considerations
• Consequence classification, dam breach assessments, risk management
• Geotechnical investigations and testing
• Slope stability
• Operation of tailings dams
• Monitoring of tailings dams

Session two

• Lessons from recent tailings dam failures
• Emerging governance requirements for mining companies

For more information, download the course programme. RSVP by March 18 to smoodley@knightpiesold.com.

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