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

Cove Project RIB Geotechnical Investigation

Tierra Group supported proposed Rapid Infiltration Basins Geotechnical Investigation at Au-reka Gold Corporation’s Cove Project in Nevada. Investigation included borehole drilling, test pits, infiltration testing and permeability testing.

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San Bartolome Mine | NI 43-101 Tailings Technical Review & Report

Tierra Group performed an Independent Tailings Technical Review to support the San Bartolomé Mine Prefeasibility Study (PFS) NI 43-101 Technical Report (TR). SRK Consulting Inc. (SRK) is the primary TR author. Tierra Group will provided a Qualified Person (QP) to oversee…

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Goldstrike Mine

Engineer of Record Barrick’s Goldstrike Mine processes 30,000 tons of gold ore per day from its combined open-pit/underground operations located in the historic Carlin Trend in Nevada, U.S.A. Goldstrike’s tailings are stored in the North Block Tailings Disposal Facility (NBTDF).…

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Camino Rojo Mine

Heap Leach Procurement & Construction Quality Assurance Tierra Group provided Issued for Construction (IFC) design drawings and specifications for procurement requirements for the expansion of the Camino Rojo HLF. Information required included liner specifications, drainage collection piping, and quantities. Additionally,…

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Equity Silver ITRB

Tierra Group's Matt Fuller, LEG, P.Geo. serves as one of three ITRB technical experts providing technical assurance of the Engineer of Record’s design and monitoring compliance with BC regulations, the Newmont Corporate Tailings Standard, and industry best practices.

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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…

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Campo Morado Mine

Dam Safety Review Tierra Group performed a Dam Safety Review (DSR) for Nyrstar’s tailings storage facility (TSF) located in Campo Morado (Guerrero, Mexico).  Tierra Group served as the Tailings Reviewer to ensure conformity with local regulations, the Nyrstar Tailings Storage…

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Buriticá Tailings Stewardship & Cyanide Speciation

Tierra Group provided Tailings Stewardship Services for Continental Gold’s Buriticá Project in Antioquia, Columbia which included permitting support, Third-Party Review and construction and operations support. Tierra Group oversaw the development of a 2D hydrodynamic model to support the design of…

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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;…

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Jerritt Canyon Mine

2023 Dam Inspections/Review Tierra Group completed a site visit to inspect three tailings storage facilities (TSFs) and the Evaporation Pond. In addition to the site visit and dam inspections, design and monitoring reports (prepared by others) were reviewed for each…

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Goldfield Bonanza Project

Lode-Star Gold, Inc., in advance of their proposed mining operations, submited a Physical Separation Facility application with the State of Nevada for their Goldfield Bonanza Project located in Esmeralda County, Nevada. The mine, located in the historic high-grade gold-bearing district of…

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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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