Fire Creek Mine

Project Highlights:

  • Civil Design
  • Landfill Design
  • Hydrological/Hydraulics Analysis
  • Geotechnical Stability Analysis
  • Feasibility Study
  • Engineering Design Changes
  • Water Management
  • Waste Rock Storage Facility
  • Seepage Model
  • Closure Plan
  • Hydraulic Design
  • Slope Stability

Tierra Group conducted a siting analysis for a new WRSF to support the mine’s future production increase as part of the Preliminary Feasibility Study (PFS).

In addition to supporting the PFS, Tierra Group assisted in preparing and submitting several engineering design changes (EDC) to increase the existing WRSF’s operating life. The project involved a waste rock dump expansion with civil design and stability modeling to ensure compliance with regulatory dam safety criteria. Tierra Group completed unsaturated modeling to support the WRSF closure cover design for the Waste Rock Repository (WRR), comparing alternative cover configurations to minimize long-term infiltration through reactive waste rock, selected a preferred cover geometry, and completed draindown analyses for both facilities to support site closure and bonding requirements.

In addition, Tierra Group conducted waste rock field sampling and laboratory tests to confirm hydraulic parameters for modeling. The team developed water balance models to monitor meteoric and seepage flows into the WRSF's collection pond. Finally, Tierra Group addressed comments from the Bureau of Mining Regulation and Reclamation (BMRR) related to WRSF seepage site tracking, modeling parameters, and closure designs.

Rapid Infiltration Basin (RIB) Ponds Modification

Tierra Group prepared a minor design modification submittal. The design included converting existing RIBs into double-lined collection ponds with leak detection. In addition, ancillary pipelines and pumps were sized per the mine’s operating requirements. After completing the RIB design, Tierra Group evaluated design options for a hoist system to extract evaporators used in the lined ponds.

Final Plan for Permanent Closure (FPPC)

Tierra Group evaluated and prepared the Fire Creek site-wide FPPC to meet Nevada Division of Environmental Protection (NDEP) requirements. Design components included civil grading of the waste rock closure surface, stability analysis of closure slopes, and hydraulic design of channels and spillways. Tierra Group prepared a final design report for submission to regulatory agencies for approval. Closure activities and design were completed in a phased approach.

Project Highlights:

  • Civil Design
  • Landfill Design
  • Hydrological/Hydraulics Analysis
  • Geotechnical Stability Analysis
  • Feasibility Study
  • Engineering Design Changes
  • Water Management
  • Waste Rock Storage Facility
  • Seepage Model
  • Closure Plan
  • Hydraulic Design
  • Slope Stability

Similar projects

Caeté Complex

Tierra Group developed a site-wide water management plan, and performed a liquefaction potential study following the Samarco tailings dam failure in Minas Gerais, Brazil. A tailings storage facility water balance was developed to optimize water usage and minimize risks at…

VIEW PROJECT

Tajo Crimea Project

Tierra Group evaluated the Tajo Crimea Pit’s geotechnical and hydrogeological characteristics to determine in-pit tailings storage feasibility. The project scope defined geotechnical and hydrogeologic site conditions through field investigations and in-situ pump testing. Tierra Group developed a 3D groundwater model…

VIEW PROJECT

Cerro Negro

Tierra Group was selected to assist Goldcorp with global Tailings Stewardship Strategy (TSS) implementation at all of Goldcorp’s active tailings sites in Latin America (Mexico, Argentina, and Guatemala). Tierra Group worked in conjunction with Goldcorp and another global engineering consulting…

VIEW PROJECT

Dona Lake DSR

Serving on Newmont Goldcorp’s Tailings Independent Review Board, Tierra Group provided an Independent Dam Safety Review for the Dona Lake Mine tailings storage facility in Pickle Lake, Ontario, Canada.

VIEW PROJECT

Aranzazú Mine

The Aranzazú Mine is a copper-gold-silver mine located in the northeastern region of Zacatecas, Mexico. The mine includes both open pit and underground operations. The mill currently processes 2,600 tonnes of ore per day. Tierra Group finalized the geotechnical investigation…

VIEW PROJECT

Midas Mine

The Midas Mine is located in northern Nevada, and is owned and operated by Hecla Mining Company.  The mine is an underground mine with an operating mill. The mine’s existing tailings facilities are nearing their end of operating life and…

VIEW PROJECT

Myra Falls

Tierra Group provides Tailings Stewardship Services for Nyrstar's Myra Falls Mine Tailings Storage Facility. Tierra Group performed a 5-year Dam Safety Review consistent with the Canadian Dam Association protocols, site training and in depth inspections of management practices and facilities…

VIEW PROJECT

Hollister Waste Rock Facility

Hollister Waste Rock Facility Storage Tierra Group performed a third-party peer review of a Waste Rock Storage Facility (WRSF) design at Klondex Mines’ (Klondex) Hollister Mine in northern Nevada. The WRSF, as designed, involved lining the mine’s existing West Pit…

VIEW PROJECT

Newcrest Telfer Tailings Stewardship

Tierra Group provided Tailings Stewardship Services for TSFs and water dams at the Cadia, Terfer, and Red Chris properties. Responsibilities included data/report review; identifying and assisting the client with managing risks, liabilities, controls, and reporting; evaluating progress towards GISTM compliance;…

VIEW PROJECT

Rosario Mine

Tierra Group performed a Dam Safety Review (DSR) including geotechnical investigations and seepage and slope stability analyses for a 20-m high TSF at this 300‑tpd underground polymetallic mine. The audit was prepared following the Mt. Polley tailings dam failure in…

VIEW PROJECT

Tailings Review & Assurance Audit | Montana

Tailings Management Assurance Review Tierra Group served as the Lead Auditor and conducted MARs for the TSFs at this confidential project. Tierra Group reviewed all available facility documentation, including OMS Manuals, EAPs, design reports, As-Built Reports, annual inspection reports, and other…

VIEW PROJECT

San Andrés Mine

Previous to Tierra Group, our Team performed a geotechnical forensics assessment, which determined that spent ore from an on-off leach pad operation had liquefied causing a debris flow, which threatened inundating a major river basin. A preventative detention buttress was…

VIEW PROJECT