Proyecto 110/2016. Diagnosis of the Emergency Evacuation System of the El Torito Tailings Basin and development of the reinforcement strategy for the maintenance of existing functions

General Overview

The El Soldado mine, owned by Anglo American, is a copper mining operation located in Chile, in the El Melón mountain range, Valparaíso Region, approximately 125 km north of the city of Santiago.
The deposit is exploited through open-pit mining methods at an average elevation of 1,000 meters above sea level.
Associated with the mining operation, the tailings storage facility known as Tranque El Torito is located in the municipality of Nogales. This facility plays a strategic role in the management and disposal of residues generated by the production process.
The site operates under high mining safety standards, including the implementation of the first emergency coordination plan in Chile specifically associated with a tailings storage facility. The plan establishes timely response procedures for potential emergency scenarios, ensuring the protection of personnel, infrastructure, and the surrounding environment.

Professional Services Performed

Within the framework of a collaboration with the consulting firm Golder Associates, IGEAS Engineering carried out technical studies related to the Emergency Evacuation System, with particular focus on the spillway channel.
The activities were aimed at defining a structural and hydraulic strengthening strategy intended to:

• Ensure the operational continuity of the system;
• Maintain and optimize existing functional performance;
• Increase safety levels under emergency conditions;
• Guarantee the structural reliability of critical components.

Main System Components

The Emergency Evacuation System consists of the following elements:

• Evacuation channel composed of a double collector channel lined and sealed with concrete slabs;
• Reinforced concrete energy dissipation chamber;
• Discharge shaft leading to the tunnel, with a diameter of 2 m and a height of 43 m;
• Tunnel with a base width of 3.5 m;
• Terminal channel.