Statement of Qualifications

Mankind lives on the earth. Everything built, either originated from, is built on, or interacts with, the earth. Geology is the science of the earth. Geotechnical Engineering is the application of geology and mathematics to use Earth’s natural resources to build infrastructure. Tierra Group International, Ltd. applies its geotechnical expertise to the conception, design, construction, and operations of physical structures for the mining industry, including:

  • Foundations
  • Tailings Dams
  • Water Dams
  • Heap Leach Pads
  • Mine Pits
  • Waste Rock Dumps
  • Hydraulic Structures (Canals, Channels, Pipelines, etc.)
  • Civil Infrastructure (Plants, Buildings, Roads, Bridges, etc.)

Tierra Group has applied its 100+ years combined professional geological and engineering expertise consulting on, or designing and constructing, dozens of these structures on six continents. This geographic variety has allowed Tierra Group’s Team to develop expertise designing facilities under challenging geotechnical conditions such as:

  • Laterites
  • Saprolites
  • Swelling or Collapsible Soils
  • Karst
  • Variable Geology
  • Highly and Active Seismicity (Earthquakes)
  • High Altitudes (4,000-m amsl)
  • Tropics

Tierra Group has innovatively adapted to these challenging environments using highly-trained professionals and state-of-the-art techniques and software to perform the following tasks and analyses:

  • Site Characterization
  • Soil/Rock Mechanics
  • Geologic Hazards - Landslide, Rock Fall, Avalanches, Seismic (Earthquakes)
  • Geotechnical Analyses - Slope, Stability, Seepage, Settlement, Consolidation, Deformation, Liquefaction
  • Civil Design and Specifications
  • Construction Documents
  • Resident Engineering
  • Quality Assurance
  • Operations Support
  • Forensics and Mitigation
  • Peer Reviews

Regardless of the geotechnical challenges posed, Tierra Group’s broad experience, intimate attention to site-specific conditions, and keen focus on developing innovative solutions, has earned us a respected reputation and loyal clients around the world.


Select Geotechnical Projects

American Gypsum

American Gypsum Pit Planning and Support Tierra Group began working at American Gypsum’s Eagle-Gypsum mine located in Gypsum, Colorado in 2014 evaluating haul road improvements. A trade-off study provided a tool for American Gypsum to evaluate safety improvements including alternative haul road…

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Karouni Mine

Tierra Group reviewed and provided pit slope recommendations and conducted hydrological assessments for the Resource 1 and 2 deposits water management system at Troy Resources’ Karouni Mine (Karouni). Advanced pre-feasibility level recommendations for pit development were provided based on benchmarking…

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La Negra Mine

Tierra Group performed a tailings storage facility safety (TSF) audit for the 90 m high upstream constructed tailings dam at La Negra Mine in Querétaro, Mexico. The project included a TSF dam inspection and Dam Safety Inspection Report (DSIR) containing operational…

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El Gallo Mine

El Gallo is a 3,000 tpd open-pit gold/silver mine located in the foothills of the Sierra Madre Mountain Range in Mexico’s Sinaloa State. Gold is recovered through heap leaching and adsorption/desorption/recovery (ADR). Production commenced at El Gallo with the first gold pour in September…

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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…

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Los Gatos Project

TSF Design and CQA Tierra Group provided detailed Stage 1 and 2 Tailings Storage Facility design, conducted a process plant geotechnical foundation investigation, and provided Construction Quality Assurance for Sunshine Silver Mining's Los Gatos Project in Chihuahua, Mexico. Tierra Group then…

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Midas Gold Project

Midas Gold’s project is located in the remote central Idaho Rockies near the town of Yellow Pine.  It is a brownfields gold-antimony project featuring three open pits and an anticipated 22,000 tpd plant throughput, along with challenging terrain and environmental…

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Fekola Project | Mali

Earthworks & Construction Quality Control (CQC) Services Tierra Group provided earthworks and concrete Construction Quality Control (CQC) services for B2Gold's Fekola Mine in western Mali. Tierra Group overcame the remote location and kept a dedicated team on-site throughout the 2-year…

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New Jersey Mill TSF

Tierra Group completed a siting study to evaluate six potential sites for a paste TSF. Tierra Group prepared civil layouts for each TSF, determining embankment fill volumes, evaluating required diversions for upstream catchment areas, and pipeline corridor layouts. Tierra Group…

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Anglo American Quellaveco Mine | PerĂº

Tierra Group supervised a geotechnical and hydrogeologic drilling investigation program at Anglo American’s Quellaveco Mine in the Moquegua Region of Peru. Geotechnical Investigation Tierra Group developed a geotechnical and hydrogeological research plan within and near the Quellaveco Pit footprint. This…

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Yauricocha Mine

The Yauricocha Mine is a polymetallic (copper, lead, zinc) underground mine located in Yauyos Province, Lima, Peru. Tailings are deposited in the Yauricocha Tailings Storage Facility (TSF) located 3km from the process plant. Tierra Group was engaged in 2015 to…

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Topia Mine

Topia Mine Phases 1-3Tierra Group supervised the first 3 phases of Geologic Mapping and Instrumentation Installation and developed a Mechanically Stabilized Earth Wall Design at Great Panther Silver’s Topia Mine in Durango, Mexico.

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