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

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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Brushy Creek

Tierra Group provided a raise design for Doe Run's Brushy Creek tailings embankment, a facility first commissioned in 1973. Cone penetration testing, liquefaction analysis, seepage modeling, and slope stability modeling were performed for the embankment. Hydrology, spillway design, and impoundment layout…

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La Trinidad

Tierra Group began work at La Trinidad providing heap leach pad construction recommendations and a water balance. Tierra Group continued support with a heap leach pad expansion design, slope stability analyses, hydrologic analyses, diversion design, liner design, and leach solution…

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Mt. Todd Dam Assessment

Tierra Group conducted an Independent Technical review of Vista Gold Corp’s Mt. Todd Tailings Storage Facility Expansion in Northern Territory, Australia. Tierra Group assisted the 2025 Mt. Todd feasibility study project providing TSF and waste rock dump design and water…

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Grupo Mexico | La Caridad

Tailings Storage Facility (TSF) AuditTierra Group performed the La Caridad TSF Audit. Tierra Group’s scope of work entailed a site visit, data review, dam safety inspection (DSI), site interviews, and best management practices training for operations personnel.

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Pitarrilla Mine

Tierra Group participated as a member of a multi-disciplinary project team to develop a Definitive Feasibility study for a 16,000 tpd silver mine in Durango, Mexico. Tierra Group's responsibilities included designing a 112 Mt tailings storage facility, developing a site-wide…

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Çöpler Tailings Storage Facility and Heap Leach Facility Technical Review

Tierra Group has a history of annually providing third-party technical reviews for the tailings storage facility and heap leach facility at Anagold's Çöpler Gold Mine in Middle Anatolia, Turkey. Additionally, Tierra Group currently performs independent technical reviews for the rockfill…

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San Francisco Mine

Tierra Group conducted geo-electrical testing to locate leaks present in the geomembrane liners underlying a Solution Conveyance Canal, Sumps 1 and 2, and the Intermediate Pond at Timmins Gold Corp’s San Francisco Mine in Sonora, Mexico. Leak detection testing procedures…

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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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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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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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Peñasquito

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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