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The Effects of Tailing Dam Profiles on Relative Wind Erosion Rates¹

ABSTRACT

Erosion from mine treatment and associated residue areas can pose a significant environmental problem for surrounding locations from dust and other transported materials. The shape of such residue areas can influence windfield behaviour by causing significant wind speed increases. Residue areas are often unprotected so that increasing the speed of wind passing over these areas will cause extra erosion. Values of wind speed-up predicted by an empirical model for wind flow over hills of low slope were compared with measured values over approach slopes to tailings dam. Hunt's model used in this study relates wind speed from a point on the hill to that observed if there was no hill. Measured values are in agreement with those predicted by the model. Shear stress values calculated from the wind flow model are then used to determine the friction velocity which, in turn, predict the relative rates of erosion. This prediction is based on the cubic relation between the friction velocity and erosion rate observed by Bagnold. These calculations are repeated for the various possible hill shapes allowed by the plant layout and the need to integrate long term spoil heaps with existing topography. A strategy for minimizing erosion of mine tailings through shape selection can then form part of the environmental considerations associated with tailings dams.

Key Words: shear stress • soil flux • hill shape

¹ Contribution from Alcoa of Australia Ltd, Environmental Dep., Perth, Western Australia, P.O. Box 252, Applecross 6153.

² Consulting Engineer, Patrick Coffey Engineering, Beaconsfield, Western Australia, Senior Lecturer, School of Environmental Science, Murdoch Univ., Western Australia, and Research Engineer, Alcoa Australia Limited, Environmental Dep., Booragoon, Western Australia.

Received for publication October 29, 1984.