November 15, 2024, Johannesburg, South Africa – Knight Piésold is proud to have served as the primary sponsor of the ICOLD Short Courses on Slope Stability, hosted by the South African Committee on Large Dams (SANCOLD) in cooperation with the International Commission on Large Dams (ICOLD) Technical Committee L on Tailings Dams and Waste Lagoons (TC L).

Two short courses, which were held at The Wanderers Club in Johannesburg, South Africa, on November 4-5, 2024, brought together industry leaders to discuss the latest advancements and methodologies in tailings characterization and slope stability assessment. With a stellar lineup of international speakers, the courses covered both foundational and cutting-edge topics in geotechnical engineering and tailings management, largely based on the recent ICOLD Bulletin 194—a cornerstone for managing tailings storage facilities and minimizing geotechnical risk—drawing an engaged audience of 130 people in-person and 30 people online. Andrew Copeland, Technical Director of Mining at Knight Piésold Southern Africa and South Africa’s representative on ICOLD TC L, served as the host for both courses. The courses were organized by Andy Small from Klohn Crippen Berger, the Canadian representative to ICOLD TC L and past chairperson of that committee.

The first day’s course provided an in-depth look at geotechnical characterization of tailings and foundation soils, led by Copeland, Dr. Andy Fourie from the University of Western Australia in Australia, Dr. Luis Alberto Torres-Cruz from the University of British Columbia in Canada, Prof SW Jacobsz from the University of Pretoria in South Africa, and Herve Wa Kitambo from WSP in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Attendees also benefited from valuable insights into geochemical classification, delivered by Diana Duthe, Lead Hydrogeologist at Knight Piésold Southern Africa, adding a crucial dimension to the course.

The second day’s course focused on slope stability assessment methods, including advanced numerical analysis techniques, for evaluating contractive soils and complex stability conditions, as follows:

• Copeland started the course outlining the objectives and a summary of the previous day’s session.
• Dr. Fourie, who was joined by Small and Mauro Santos from Pimenta de Ávila in Brazil, described basic methods of slope stability analysis, static and earthquake loading mechanisms, liquefaction triggering, and deformation analysis.
• Paul Ridlen, President of Knight Piésold USA and the US representative to ICOLD TC L, introduced a slope stability assessment flow chart based on ICOLD Bulletin 194, which provides a logical framework for assessing a tailings dam when contractive and potentially brittle materials are present.
• Dr. Alejo Sfriso from SRK Consulting in Spain gave a presentation on advanced non-linear deformation analysis techniques.
• Case histories were presented by Katy O’Brien from ARQ Consulting Engineers in South Africa, Dr. Sfriso, Small, and Ridlen.
• Small rounded out the course with a presentation on current and future initiatives underway at ICOLD.

ICOLD is a leading global organization that develops guidelines and provides expertise for the safe and sustainable development, operations, and management of large dams, including tailings dams essential to mining operations worldwide. ICOLD’s technical committees and bulletins help industries establish robust, scientifically backed stability and safety protocols.

In addition to Copeland and Ridlen, Patrick Kampengele, Managing Director at Knight Piésold Southern Africa, is the representative from Zambia, and Violeta Martin, Specialist Hydrotechnical Engineer at Knight Piésold Canada, is an observer member of ICOLD TC L. Each of them also serves in ICOLD’s member organizations (i.e., national committees) in South Africa, USA, Zambia, and Canada, respectively.

As the primary sponsor, Knight Piésold reinforced its commitment to advancing industry standards and highlighted its extensive experience in tailings management, environmental stewardship, and engineering innovation. With a team dedicated to tailings storage design, slope stability analysis, and environmental hydrogeology, Knight Piésold continues to provide safe, sustainable solutions to complex geotechnical and environmental challenges.