Tailings Management - Strategy and Site Selection Process in the Context of an Urban Mine, the Example of Horne-5 Mine Feasibility Level Design
Mayana Kissiova, Osisko Gold Royalties; Hélène Cartier, Falco Resources Ltd
The Horne-5 underground mine will be located within the urban setting of the city of Rouyn-Noranda, in the Abitibi-Témiscamingue region of Quebec. The above ground infrastructure is thus faced with multiple challenges in terms of available space, but also from a social and technical point of views. An in-depth thinking and designing process was triggered to find the best tailings management option from social and environmental point of views without sacrificing the project economics. The final solution is based on the philosophy that any space already impacted by previous mining activities must be considered as a priority even if this might require timing the mining schedule with tailings placement and backfill. The site selected for tailing disposal is located 11 km away from the mine and within an existing tailings storage facility currently under care and maintenance. Succeeding in making this project sustainable in the long term also required unique provisions for transportation of the tailings as well as for water management.
Mots Clés:
site selection, tailings management, urban mine setting
