Exercise 4 – Hydrodynamic Containment

The cross section below shows a proposed tailings impoundment in a central valley with higher terrain to the west and east, and the dry season, pre-development position of the water table.

The dashed line indicates the planned height of the tailings pond at the end of mine operations. Estimate the highest elevation of the pond for which there would be full hydrodynamic containment in the central valley (based on analysis of this section).

Explain why at the final proposed height of the tailings pond, the valley to the west is not expected to be impacted by water that seeps through the valley walls containing the pond, but the valley to the east can be anticipated to have a potential impact on groundwater quality.

Figure Exercise 4–1 – Cross section of proposed tailings impoundment for Exercise 4.

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