HMA Geotechnical provides equipment, services for safe monitoring of tailings dams

2 October 2020
The catastrophic failure of a tailings dam in Brazil in January 2019 released a mudflow that advanced through the mine-owners offices, staff amenities, houses, farms and roads downstream, with multiple fatalities in its wake.
Document Downloads 
application/msword iconHMA Geotechnical provides equipment, services for safe monitoring of tailings dams_final51.5 KBDownload
PreviewHMA Geotechnical has fabricated 13 base stations that were installed on a critical Tailings Storage Facility (TSF) in Australia1.58 MBDownload
PreviewThe Hub uses an omni antenna and is typically powered by a solar panel or AC power2.36 MBDownload
PreviewThis set of telemetry units features solid stainless-steel enclosures, a corrosion-resistant frame and integration with the on-s1.77 MBDownload

In response to the disaster, the Global Industry Standard on Tailings Management was launched by the Global Tailings Review (GTR) on 5 August 2020. The GTR was co-convened by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), the Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI) and the International Council on Mining and Metals (ICMM).

While failures of tailings dams are fairly uncommon, the consequences for downstream communities and the environment can be devastating if they do. Therefore the UNEP review aimed to establish a standard that would ensure mine operators apply best practice in planning, design, construction, operation, maintenance, monitoring, closure and post-closure of tailings facilities.

As an essential Australian-owned manufacturer and supplier to the mining industry, with over 120+ years combined experience, HMA Geotechnical provides monitoring equipment and services for the safe monitoring of tailings dams. HMA points to recent tailings dam pore water pressure monitoring projects successfully undertaken for mining clients in Queensland, Australia.

Here standpipe and vibrating wire piezometers on existing tailings dams had to be read manually. However, the manual readings were disrupted by inclement weather, site hazards, limited access and related staffing issues. The end result was intermittent readings taken over a 12-month period, which prompted the client to opt for a full standalone radio telemetry system linked back to its SCADA.

“Essentially the customer wanted to eliminate the interruptions of the readings and thereby achieve continuous real-time data that was reliable and accurate,” explains Craig Bruce, Operations Manager, HMA Geotechnical. The immediate challenge was the expansive area that need to be monitored, together with on-site civil construction taking place. Other factors that had to be taken into account were the extreme weather conditions, including heavy rain and extreme heat and humidity, and potential exposure to corrosive elements.

“Not only did our solutions have to address all of these issues, it also had to integrate seamlessly with the customer’s existing SCADA and instrumentation, all while providing automated real-time site-monitoring capabilities from a remote location,” elaborates Craig.

HMA Geotechnical utilised its Radio Array System as the backbone for an automated data collection system, linked to HMA standard and miniature VW piezometers. The system consists of nodes, which are sensors with radio-enabled data loggers that wirelessly transmit data to a central base station known as the Hub. The Hub sends the data received to the users for analysis on their desktop PC in real-time.

The nodes can be deployed in a star or mesh topology from the Hub. The respective node data loggers have an antenna and are powered by a single lithium D cell or solar, which provides years of power. Most major sensor types can be accommodated. The Hub has its own data logger for collating and transferring to client’s local system and is housed in a protective enclosure.

The Hub uses an omni antenna and is typically powered by a solar panel or AC power. Automated, reliable and accurate sensor data was sent in real-time to the user’s desktop PC, allowing for quick decision-making and data analysis from the remote site. In addition, HMA Geotechnical provided direct support and service remotely and in the field.

Ends

Notes to the editor
To download hi-res images for this release, please visit http://media.ngage.co.za and click the HMA Group link to view the company’s press office.

About HMA Group
Established in 1966, Halley & Mellowes represents an impressive list of internationally respected companies and manufactures under licence to a number of these companies. We also manufacture a range of products and equipment developed and designed by our own engineers. The HMA Group manufactures, services, and sells a range of capital plant equipment to a diverse range of industries. This includes the mining sector, minerals processing, materials handling, power generation, petrochemicals, and oil & gas.

HMA Geotechnical Contact
Craig Bruce
Operations Manager
Tel: +61 3 8720 6700
Email: melbourne [at] hmagrp [dot] com
Web: www.hmagrp.com

Media Contact
Renay Tandy
Tel: (011) 867-7763
Cell: 082 562 5088
Email: renay [at] ngage [dot] co [dot] za
Web: www.ngage.co.za

Browse the NGAGE Media Zone for more client press releases and photographs at http:/media.ngage.co.za