Abstract:
The suitability of a centerline or upstream design as a sustainable option for construction of future raises for the existing Life
of Mine (LoM) downstream Tailings Storage Facility (TSF) at Adamus Resources Limited (ARL) was investigated using
Slope/W in GeoStudio Software. Review of technical information, evaluation of the performance of the existing Stage 6 dam,
and geotechnical investigations of available construction materials were undertaken in this research. Insights were gained
about the TSF’s life cycle and current bearing capacity for intended future raises. Viable geotechnical parameters were
established to define construction material specifications as well as input data for modelling the new designs. The British
Standards Institute (BSI) standards were adopted for all the material testing protocols carried out at the Council for Scientific
and Industrial Research-Building and Road Research Institute (CSIR-BRRI) laboratory in Kumasi. The scope of modelling
covered the original downstream as well as the centerline and upstream options. The geometric design and stability analysis
focused only on the southern and northern embankments of the TSF. The modelling outputs yielded reliable Stability Factors
of Safety (FoS) for all designs investigated, above the regulatory criteria. Subsequently, a semi-quantitative multi-criteria
evaluation was used to select the preferred option between the centreline and upstream alternatives. The results showed that
technically, economically and by regulatory compliance, the centreline design is a better alternative and therefore
recommended for adoption by ARL.
