Geotechnical investigation of tailings dams with non-destructive testing methods

摘要

The environment and human beings are highly endangered by unsafe mine tailings facilities. The most important factor for safety is the stability of the tailings dams. Within the scope of a European research and technical development project ("Sustainable Improvement in Safety of Tailings Facilities", Tailsafe) geophysical non-destructive testing methods are used to investigate tailings dams to determine build up, condition, water content and water flow. The main techniques applied are geoelectrics (Spectral Induced Polarization - SIP) and georadar (Ground Penetrating Radar - GPR). In the paper measurements and results from a test site located in Germany are presented.