A Conceptual Elevation Versus Volume Curve Determination Method for Tailings Dam Breach Studies
Author: Vicci Schoeman
Conference: SANCOLD Annual Conference and AGM 2018
Date: November 7-9, 2018
ABSTRACT
Most of the theory used in tailings storage facility breach studies was developed for water dams and are not fully applicable to tailings storage facility failures. This paper describes a conceptual alternative formulation of the elevation versus volume curve of the cone of depression that forms during a tailings dam breach. It is the intention that the alternative elevation versus volume curve formulation method be used in conjunction with the hydrologic reservoir routing method to generate more realistic tailings dam failure outflow hydrographs. Only an overview of the method is given here, with more research being required to fully validate the method.
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