The Geotechnical Problems of the World Second Largest Copper Tailings Pond at Zelazny Most, Poland

Abstract

The paper summarizes the experiences of the writers in assisting KGHM (the Polish acronym for Copper Mine and Mill Company) in the development of one the world‟s largest copper tailings disposal facility, located in South-West Poland. This paper describes the tailings disposal facilities, the geological features of the area with particular emphasis on the considerable influence of the various Pleistocene glaciations, and the geotechnical aspects of the design and construction. The geotechnical characterization of the tailings and of the foundation soils is described, focusing on their shear strength, on the mining-induced seismicity and on the factors controlling the stability of the ring-dam that confines the tailings. Finally, the results of the analyses of the stability of the dam, together with the details of the intensive monitoring of the performance of the dam, the latter carried out by KGHM, are presented.