Filipino mining engineers from the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) recently completed a nine-day training on design monitoring and closure of tailing storage facilities (TSFs).
The training, held from June 15 to 24 at the Central and Regional Offices of the MGB, was facilitated by the International Mining for Development Centre, an agency established by The University of Western Australia and The University of Queensland, in partnership with the Australian government through the Australian Aid initiative.
The MGB is the government’s main regulatory agency in mining. It conducts assessment of TSFs used by mining companies in their operation. The MGB grants permit to mining companies, including the use of constructed TSFs and has the power to issue stop order upon assessment of the integrity of such facilities.
According to the MGB’s Mine Safety, Environment and Social Development Division, the training aims to enhance the capacities of MGB technical personnel in assessing the stability, monitoring and performance, management of environmental impacts and closure plans of tailing storage facilities.
During the training, participants learned and had a basic understanding of the dam types, foundation and construction, geotechnical investigations, laboratory testing, design process for new and existing dams and associated upgrades, as well as operational issues, monitoring and decommissioning.
Dr. Ken Mercer, Professor of Environmental and Mining Geomechanics at the Australian Center for Geomechanics, The University of Western Australia; and Mr. Bill Biggs, Principal at Environment, Biggs and Associates served as the primary lecturers.