Challenge

The Pumpkin Hollow Copper Mine required the design and long-term planning of a large-scale dry stack tailings facility capable of supporting an underground mining operation producing up to 7,500 tons per day. The project demanded a technically rigorous approach to tailings management, including evaluation of geomembrane-lined and soil-lined containment alternatives, assessment of tailings behavior under operating conditions, and development of expansion strategies that would meet performance, operational, and environmental objectives over the life of the facility.

Solution

Geo-Logic Associates provided integrated geotechnical engineering, laboratory testing, and operational planning services to support the design and evolution of the dry stack tailings facility. Our team conducted advanced laboratory testing of production tailings in our Sparks, Nevada laboratory, applying static liquefaction and critical state soil mechanics principles to validate and refine design assumptions. We developed operating, stacking, and monitoring plans, evaluated facility performance criteria, and designed a monitored compacted tailings/soil-lined test cell to assess the feasibility of transitioning from a geomembrane-lined to a soil-lined configuration. Using testing results and observations from ongoing operations, GLA also developed engineering recommendations for future facility expansions and implementation strategies.

Results

GLA delivered the technical foundation needed to support safe, efficient, and adaptable tailings storage throughout the mine’s development. Our laboratory analyses and engineering evaluations provided critical insight into tailings performance, informed facility design optimization, and guided expansion planning for a structure ultimately spanning approximately 5 million square feet and reaching 275 feet in height. The project showcased GLA’s expertise in tailings engineering, geotechnical characterization, laboratory testing, and operational support—helping the client make data-driven decisions that balanced performance, risk management, and long-term operational goals.

“The most effective tailings facilities are built on a deep understanding of material behavior and operational realities. By combining advanced laboratory testing with practical engineering insight, we helped our client design resilient facilities that perform today and adapt predictably for the future.”

Jason Hefner, PE – Project Manager