Antamina Tailings Dam
Encyclopedia
The Antamina Tailings Dam, also known as the Antamina Tailings Impoundment Facility, is a tailings dam located in the Huincush Ravine 55 km (34 mi) east of Huaraz
in the Ancash Region
of Peru. The purpose of the dam is to store tailings processed at the nearby Antamina mine. In 2003, Golder Associates, Burnaby, B.C. was awarded the 2002 Canadian Consulting Engineering Award for its innovative design of the dam.
. By April 2003, the dam was raised from its original elevation of 4010 m (13,156 ft) above sea level to 4045 m (13,271 ft). The dam will continually be raised until it reaches 240 m (787 ft) tall at an elevation of 4125 m (13,533 ft) and length of 1.3 km (0.807784557644749 mi). Currently the dam is undergoing its fourth raising to 215 m (705 ft) in height.
which controls seepage of tailings into the environment. Water released into the environment is purified to meet standards and discharges from the dam are maintained at at least 150 liters per second.
Huaraz
Huaraz is a city in Peru. It is the capital of the Departmento de Ancash and the seat of government of the Provincia de Huaraz . The urban agglomerations population is distributed over the districts of Huaraz and Independencia. It was estimated in 2007 to exceed 120,000...
in the Ancash Region
Ancash Region
Ancash is a region in northern Peru. It is bordered by the La Libertad region on the north, the Huánuco and Pasco regions on the east, the Lima region on the south, and the Pacific Ocean on the west. Its capital is the city of Huaraz, and its largest city and port is Chimbote...
of Peru. The purpose of the dam is to store tailings processed at the nearby Antamina mine. In 2003, Golder Associates, Burnaby, B.C. was awarded the 2002 Canadian Consulting Engineering Award for its innovative design of the dam.
Background
The dam was designed by Golder Associates, Burnaby, B.C. and Ingetec SA between 1998 and 1999. Construction on the 130 m (427 ft) high concrete-face rock-fill starter dam began in 2000 was complete in April 2001. A 15000000 cubic metre reservoir was filled behind the dam assist the concentraterOre concentrate
Ore concentrate, dressed ore or simply concentrate is the product generally produced by metal ore mines. The raw ore is usually ground finely in various comminution operations and gangue is removed, thus concentrating the metal component. The concentrate is then transported to smelters where it is...
. By April 2003, the dam was raised from its original elevation of 4010 m (13,156 ft) above sea level to 4045 m (13,271 ft). The dam will continually be raised until it reaches 240 m (787 ft) tall at an elevation of 4125 m (13,533 ft) and length of 1.3 km (0.807784557644749 mi). Currently the dam is undergoing its fourth raising to 215 m (705 ft) in height.
Design and operation
As a base for the dam, a 130 m (427 ft) concrete-face rock-fill dam was constructed. From there, the dam is being raised with rock-fill with the upstream side being protected by a concrete slab. The original starter dam was 1050 m (3,445 ft) in length and when the dam reaches its final height of 240 m (787 ft), it will be 1300 m (4,265 ft) long. The dam will hold 570000000 metric ton of tailings and the mine is expected to produce 546000000 metric ton. Upstream of the dam, a series of channels and embankments divert water from the Ayash River from entering the reservoir. This helps the environment and protects the stability of the dam. The reservoir is lined with a geomembraneGeomembranes
Geomembranes are a kind of geosynthetic material made up of an impermeable membranes. Their use includes lining canals, ponds and also waste containment.-Composition:Geomembranes are made of various materials...
which controls seepage of tailings into the environment. Water released into the environment is purified to meet standards and discharges from the dam are maintained at at least 150 liters per second.