Antamina Tailings Dam

The Antamina Tailings Dam, also known as the Antamina Tailings Impoundment Facility, is a tailings dam located in the Huincush Ravine 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.
Background.
The dam was designed by Golder Associates, Burnaby, B.C. and Ingetec SA between 1998 and 1999. Construction on the high concrete-face rock-fill starter dam began in 2000 was complete in April 2001. A reservoir was filled behind the dam assist the concentrater. By April 2003, the dam was raised from its original elevation of above sea level to . The dam will continually be raised until it reaches tall at an elevation of and length of . Currently the dam is undergoing its fourth raising to in height.
Design and operation.
As a base for the dam, a 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 in length and when the dam reaches its final height of , it will be long. The dam will hold of tailings and the mine is expected to produce . 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 geomembrane 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.