Design of Dry Stacking of Filtered Tailings in Extreme Seismic and Mountain Conditions

Tailings management presents a critical challenge for the mining industry, particularly in mountainous regions with high seismicity and steep slopes. This article presents the development and design criteria for dry stacking of filtered tailings as a sustainable and safe alternative to conventional slurry tailings storage facilities (TSFs). The study focuses on the extreme conditions of a mountainous location characterized by complex topography with 10% slopes, space constraints, and significant seismic activity defined by a peak ground acceleration (PGA) of 0.3 g. The design methodology, which incorporates layered compaction of the filtered tailings to achieve a geotechnically stable structure, is detailed for a filtered TSF consisting of 7 terraces, each 10 m high, reaching a total height of 70 m. This approach minimizes the risk of liquefaction and prepares the filtered tailings surface for progressive closure, with unit operating costs (OPEX) of 2.5 USD/t. The results of the physical stability analysis confirm the viability of this solution: pseudo-static stability analysis yielded a safety factor of 1.22, demonstrating a significant reduction in water consumption and potential environmental impact. It is concluded that the dry disposal of filtered tailings is a technically robust option for tailings management in extreme mountainous environments, offering greater long-term safety guarantees and facilitating landscape integration, thus setting a precedent for mining projects in similar geographies.