8.2 Physical System Definition
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Fig. 8.2 Possible way of looking at a tailings dam as a system of three nodes
Example A: A Complex Mine with Multiple TSFs
Let’s start with a single TSF with one dam in the considered mine (Fig. 8.3).
Should a risk assessment of this simple system be performed, the question would
be: is Dam 15 really amenable to a significant analysis as a one element? Or should
it be split into several sections because, for example, the foundation conditions
vary along its layout? Or perhaps because breaches in different locations may have
significantly different consequences due to land use, topographic oddities, etc.?
Figure 8.4 shows another TSF with three dams (it is perhaps actually one single
dams with two corners), thus for the purpose of its risk analysis it would be preferable
to split it into three elements.
Now the question is: how many sub-elements are needed to define beyond the
obvious three macro-elements represented by the three connected dams? How many
will capture the different nature of geology, hydro-geology and consequences?
The next step is of course to look at a complex mine with all its TSFs, ponds,
main pipelines, dams and weirs. Figure 8.5 shows a real life system with a number of
cascading ponds with multiple dams, weirs, independent ponds and pipelines. The
111
Fig. 8.2 Possible way of looking at a tailings dam as a system of three nodes
Example A: A Complex Mine with Multiple TSFs
Let’s start with a single TSF with one dam in the considered mine (Fig. 8.3).
Should a risk assessment of this simple system be performed, the question would
be: is Dam 15 really amenable to a significant analysis as a one element? Or should
it be split into several sections because, for example, the foundation conditions
vary along its layout? Or perhaps because breaches in different locations may have
significantly different consequences due to land use, topographic oddities, etc.?
Figure 8.4 shows another TSF with three dams (it is perhaps actually one single
dams with two corners), thus for the purpose of its risk analysis it would be preferable
to split it into three elements.
Now the question is: how many sub-elements are needed to define beyond the
obvious three macro-elements represented by the three connected dams? How many
will capture the different nature of geology, hydro-geology and consequences?
The next step is of course to look at a complex mine with all its TSFs, ponds,
main pipelines, dams and weirs. Figure 8.5 shows a real life system with a number of
cascading ponds with multiple dams, weirs, independent ponds and pipelines. The