March 27, 2026, Mexico City, Mexico – Knight Piésold brought a multidisciplinary team of eight mining professionals from its offices in the United States, Chile, and Mexico to the 2nd International Symposium on Tailings Deposits, contributing insights on governance frameworks, risk management, and engineering best practices for tailings and heap leach facilities.

The company's comprehensive participation included a pre-symposium training course, four technical presentations, a keynote lecture, panel participation, and exhibition presence throughout the three-day event held in Hermosillo, Sonora from March 11 to 13.

Organized by the Mexican Society of Geotechnical Engineering, the symposium brought together professionals from Mexico and internationally to advance best practices in tailings management from planning through closure.

Knight Piésold’s participation began with a pre-symposium course on March 11, where Paul Ridlen, Senior Principal Geotechnical Engineer at Knight Piésold USA, and Carlos Ramírez de Arellano, Project Engineer at Knight Piésold Mexico, presented Modules 2 and 4 in the course “Tailings Dam Safety: Stability Analysis Based on the Criteria of ICOLD Bulletin 194.”

During Session 4 on March 12, Carolina Cota, Geotechnical Engineer at Knight Piésold Mexico, presented “Evaluation of Alternatives for TSF Using Multiple Account Analysis: Selection of Location and Construction Method.” The paper was co-authored by Marcelo Guevara and Tomás Schnetzer of Knight Piésold Argentina and Carlos Ramírez de Arellano of Knight Piésold Mexico. Her presentation demonstrated how Multiple Account Analysis facilitates systematic assessment of both site selection and construction methodologies by integrating different perspectives to promote informed decision-making.

Technical contributions continued on March 13 with three presentations and a panel discussion. In Session 3, Adolfo López, Senior Geotechnical Engineer at Knight Piésold Chile, presented “DAR as a Pillar of GISTM Governance: Evaluation of the Cumulative Impact of Deviations in Proactive Tailings Risk Management,” co-authored by Carlos Faundes, Thiare Magallanes, and Juan Carlos Paredes of Knight Piésold Chile. His presentation introduced an approach for developing a Deviation Accountability Report, a key tool not just for regulatory compliance but also for adaptive risk management and accountability in tailings storage facilities.

During Session 4, Wendy Romero, Staff Geotechnical Engineer at Knight Piésold Mexico, presented “Influence of the Interface on the Stability of a Heap Leach Pad: A Sensitivity Analysis,” co-authored by Jorge Mendoza of Knight Piésold USA. The sensitivity analysis explored the influence of a geomembrane liner system on the stability of a heap leach facility during the closure phase.

Ridlen, the keynote speaker for Session 5, delivered “Is Governance Making a Difference in Tailings Management?” His presentation explored current challenges and the evolution of governance frameworks while reinforcing the importance of accountability and global standards in the industry.

Knight Piésold’s contributions concluded with the Regulations and Governance roundtable, where Jeff Coffin, President of Knight Piésold USA, participated as a panelist and shared perspectives alongside other industry leaders. Diego Pedrozo, Engineering Manager of Knight Piésold Mexico, served as moderator for the discussion.

Throughout the symposium, the team, including Gilberto Domínguez, Business Development Leader of Knight Piésold Mexico, welcomed attendees to Knight Piésold’s booth. The team’s comprehensive participation demonstrated Knight Piésold’s commitment to knowledge sharing and collaboration within Mexico's mining community.

With excellence as a core value, Knight Piésold continues to advance tailings management practices and drive innovation for safer, more responsible, and well-governed mining operations worldwide.