Improving Tailings Dam Safety with Advanced Monitoring

Safeguarding Mining Operations with Real-Time Intelligence

Tailings dam monitoring and management have emerged as critical imperatives for mining operations worldwide. With increasing scrutiny around environmental protection, regulatory compliance, and risk mitigation, mining companies are turning to innovative technologies to ensure the structural integrity of tailings dams, engineered embankments that, if mismanaged, can pose serious safety and environmental threats.

Tailings dams are designed to store the by-products of mining processes, typically in slurry form. As ore production intensifies and deposits deepen, the scale and complexity of tailings storage facilities continue to grow, amplifying the need for robust, real-time monitoring systems that deliver actionable insights.

Learning from the Past: Why Proactive Monitoring Matters

Historical tailings dam failures, such as those at Brumadinho (Brazil, 2019) and Mount Polley (Canada, 2014), have highlighted the devastating consequences of inadequate monitoring. These incidents led to the tragic loss of life, widespread environmental damage, and a global call for greater transparency and accountability across the mining sector.

In response, the industry has shifted from periodic inspections to continuous, data-driven monitoring, leveraging integrated technologies to detect early signs of instability and prevent catastrophic outcomes.

Radar Technology: Setting a New Standard in Tailings Dam Monitoring

GroundProbe, part of Orica’s Geosolutions group, delivers world-leading radar technologies that redefine how mining operations monitor tailings dams, including the Slope Stability Radar. Strategically deployed on or near dam structures, these radars deliver real-time wall stability data with sub-millimetre precision.

At a major tailings facility in South America, GroundProbe’s SSR-FX and SSR-XT systems operate in tandem to scan dam walls and embankments continuously. The high-resolution data is analysed for early movement indicators, enabling geotechnical teams to initiate timely interventions, ranging from increased inspections and water level adjustments to full-scale evacuation protocols.

These radar systems are often integrated with MonitorIQ, GroundProbe’s visualisation and alarming platform. MonitorIQ empowers teams to:

📈 Track dam movement trends
📈 Set custom alert threshold
📈 Receive real-time notifications via email, SMS, or voice. 

This proactive approach supports the implementation of Trigger Action Response Plans (TARP), enhancing safety for both personnel and infrastructure.

A Multi-Technology Approach for Comprehensive Insights

While radar forms the backbone of dam monitoring, GroundProbe’s holistic approach, enabled through Orica’s Geosolutions, incorporates multiple technologies for deeper situational awareness:

🛰️  InSAR: Satellite-based remote sensing for large-scale movement detection
📡  Geotechnical Sensors: Including piezometers, inclinometers, and pressure cells
🚁  Drones: For aerial surveys and photogrammetry
🌐  IoT Platforms: For real-time data aggregation and decision-making.

In Indonesia, a mine operating in a remote, high-rainfall region adopted this multi-technology strategy to monitor a large tailings dam. By combining radar, satellite data, and automated sensors, the site identified zones of slow, progressive movement well before reaching critical thresholds, resulting in improved operational confidence and stronger stakeholder engagement.

Expert Support for Data-Driven Decision Making 

To ensure seamless integration and interpretation of monitoring data, GroundProbe offers Geotechnical Specialist Services (GSS), providing 24/7 access to highly experienced geotechnical engineers. These experts help transform raw data into actionable insights, supporting informed decision-making and risk mitigation.

Leading the Future of Responsible Mining

Modern tailings dam management is no longer just about meeting compliance standards; it’s about building safer, more innovative, and more resilient operations. By embedding advanced monitoring technologies into daily workflows, mining companies can significantly reduce the risk of failure while promoting long-term environmental stewardship.

As part of Orica’s Geosolutions group, GroundProbe remains at the forefront of this transformation, delivering solutions that not only detect movement but also empower meaningful action, protecting lives, preserving ecosystems, and shaping the future of responsible mining.

SSR-FX	MonitorIQ	GSS Balikpapan, Indonesia

FURTHER READING: Dams & Tailings Dam Monitoring Solutions | GroundProbe
FURTHER READING: Tailings dam monitoring with ground-based interferometric radars

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