The objective of this study is to investigate the stability problems in tailing (i.e. mine waste) dams. A tailing dam is an embankment dam (made of natural borrow or tailing material) constructed to retain slurry-like mining wastes that are produced as a result of operation of mines. In the last 30 years, the stability of tailing dams has drawn much attention as a significant number of tailing dam failures have been recorded worldwide. These instability problems caused significant loss of life and damage to property in addition to environmental hazards. In this study causes of failure of tailing dams and their stability problems are investigated with respect to their geometric and material characteristics. Seepage and stability of tailing dams are studied through limit equilibrium method and finite element method. The effects of uncertainties in material properties on the stability of tailings dams is investigated. Within this context, Kastamonu-Kure copper tailings dam is used as a case study and material properties are determined by laboratory tests.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:METU/oai:etd.lib.metu.edu.tr:http://etd.lib.metu.edu.tr/upload/12614455/index.pdf |
| Date | 01 June 2012 |
| Creators | Sayit, Emir |
| Contributors | Huvaj Sarihan, Nejan |
| Publisher | METU |
| Source Sets | Middle East Technical Univ. |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | M.S. Thesis |
| Format | text/pdf |
| Rights | Access forbidden for 1 year |
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