Nkana and Mufulira Tailings Storage Facilities

Project Overview

Mopani Copper Mines (MCM) had addressed the objectives of the MCM Dam Audit Corrective Action Plan (DACAP) that has been developed in response to concerns raised in the technical audit of the MCM tailings storage facilities (TSFs), which was undertaken by a team of auditors appointed by Glencore. The key outputs from the DACAP were the Design Update Report, Dam Breach Analysis, Emergency Response Plan, Detailed Closure Plans for the operational TSFs, and the Operations Maintenance and Surveillance (OMS) Manuals for the closed TSFs.

Project Role

Knight Piésold prepared the Design Update Report, Dam Breach Analysis, Emergency Response Plan, Detailed Closure Plans, and OMS Manuals. The Design Update Report required geotechnical, piezocone and seismic investigations, as the literature review revealed that very little information was available. Conceptual stage capacity analyses and seepage and stability analyses were done at the start of the project and were updated with information obtained from the field investigations. The liquefaction potential was also reviewed, but based on the seismic testwork, the potential was low. Findings and recommendations for work required were presented to the client.