Date
02 Jun 1988, 10:30 am - 3:00 pm
Abstract
This paper discusses the geotechnical investigation of a large gold tailings facility which has been in operation since December 1977. The very thorough test program included 670 m (2200 ft.) of piezocone probing, 65 self-boring pressuremeter tests down to a maximum of 35 m (118 ft.), 60 SPT's and 9 laboratory triaxial tests as well as a well pump test. The study included a detailed geological and seismic study to determine earthquake design parameters and to assess the liquefaction potential of the deposit. Test results were utilized to determine the stability of an upstream constructed embankment employing the sub-aerial method of tailings deposition together with a comprehensive underdrainage system. The study indicates that liquefaction of the deposit is highly unlikely to occur and that the embankment has an acceptable factor of safety under sub-aerial conditions.
Department(s)
Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering
Meeting Name
2nd Conference of the International Conference on Case Histories in Geotechnical Engineering
Publisher
University of Missouri--Rolla
Document Version
Final Version
Rights
© 1988 University of Missouri--Rolla, All rights reserved.
Creative Commons Licensing
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 License.
Document Type
Article - Conference proceedings
File Type
text
Language
English
Recommended Citation
East, Donald R.; Ransone, John W.; and Cincilla, William A., "Testing of the Homestake Mine Tailings Deposit" (1988). International Conference on Case Histories in Geotechnical Engineering. 49.
https://scholarsmine.mst.edu/icchge/2icchge/2icchge-session3/49
Testing of the Homestake Mine Tailings Deposit
This paper discusses the geotechnical investigation of a large gold tailings facility which has been in operation since December 1977. The very thorough test program included 670 m (2200 ft.) of piezocone probing, 65 self-boring pressuremeter tests down to a maximum of 35 m (118 ft.), 60 SPT's and 9 laboratory triaxial tests as well as a well pump test. The study included a detailed geological and seismic study to determine earthquake design parameters and to assess the liquefaction potential of the deposit. Test results were utilized to determine the stability of an upstream constructed embankment employing the sub-aerial method of tailings deposition together with a comprehensive underdrainage system. The study indicates that liquefaction of the deposit is highly unlikely to occur and that the embankment has an acceptable factor of safety under sub-aerial conditions.
