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

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…

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Ernesto e Pau-a-Pique

The Ernesto e Pau-a-Pique (EPP) Mine is located in the Municipality of Pontes e Lacerda, at 440 kms west of Cuiba City, Brazil. The mine is operated by Apoena Mining, a subsidiary of Aura Minerals Inc. Tierra Group was retained…

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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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El Aguila

Dry Stack Tailings Options Analysis Tierra Group performed an independent TSF expansion engineering design peer review. The review resulted in cost savings ($650,000) without compromising the facility's design integrity over the original design. Tierra Group also provided full-time CQA. Tierra…

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Los Filos Mine

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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Oracle Ridge Copper

Tierra Group represented Oracle Ridge Mining as the Qualified Person for portions of the feasibility-level design including the Dry Stack Tailings Storage Facility (TSF) Design, Site-Wide Stormwater Management, Water Supply Pipelines, Haul Road and Access Road Design Improvements, and the…

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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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Anglo American Quellaveco Mine | Perú

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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Stillwater Mine

East Boulder Tailings Independent Review Panel (2018-present) Tierra Group reviewed a TSF design to support an NI 43-101 compliant Feasibility Study. The TSF design incorporated a paste tailings disposal method in an environmentally sensitive fisheries habitat. Tierra Group sits on the Independent…

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Marlin Mine

Tierra Group provides Tailings Stewardship Services for the Marlin Mine Tailings Storage Facility. Tierra Group performed a 5-year Dam Safety Review consistent with the Canadian Dam Association protocols, a Facilitated Risk Assessment, site training and in depth inspections of management…

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La Libertad Mine

Tierra Group engineers designed La Esperanza TSF, a 2.1-km long, 35-m high, earthfill tailings dam with an HDPE lined impoundment footprint of 840,000 m2. Tierra Group designed and provided Construction Quality Assurance (CQA) for all subsequent downstream dam stages. Stage…

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Palmarejo Mine

Tierra Group performed an initial site visit to Coeur Mining’s Palmarejo Mine to conduct dam safety inspections of the tailings storage facility, environmental control dam, water diversion dam, and water diversion channel. Prior to the site visit, Tierra Group reviewed…

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