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Calcimator

Tailing Dam Capacity Calculator

Calculate tailings storage volume and years of capacity from dam geometry and tailings density.

Inputs

m
m
ha
t/m³
t/yr

Results

Storage Capacity

10,080,000 t

Years of Capacity10.1 yr
Storage Volume7,200,000 m³
Water Volume2,160,000 m³
Embankment Volume1,357,500 m³
Dam Base Width173 m
Effective Height28 m
How to Use This Calculator
  1. Enter dam crest length (m) and dam height (m) from the tailings facility design.
  2. Set upstream slope ratio (H:V) and impoundment area (hectares).
  3. Enter tailings density (t/m³) and annual tailings production (t/year) from mill data.
  4. Review Storage Capacity (tonnes) and Years of Capacity to evaluate the facility life.
  5. Use this to plan facility raises and permitting timelines well in advance of capacity limits.

How the result changes with Dam Height

Dam HeightStorage Capacity
206,720,000 t
5618,816,000 t
9933,264,000 t
13645,696,000 t

What each input means

Dam Crest Length
Length of the dam crest
Dam Height
Maximum dam height from toe to crest
Upstream Slope (H:V)
Upstream slope ratio (horizontal to vertical)
Impoundment Area
Surface area of the tailings impoundment
Tailings Density
Dry density of deposited tailings
Annual Tailings
Annual tailings production in dry tonnes

How this is calculated

Worked example, using the default values

  1. Identify Input Parameters
    4 parameters
    Dam Crest Length = 500, Dam Height = 30, Upstream Slope (H:V) = 3, Impoundment Area = 50 = 6 input(s) provided
  2. Calculate Storage Capacity
    Storage Capacity
    10080000 = 10080000
  3. Calculate Years of Capacity
    Years of Capacity
    10.1 = 10.1
  4. Calculate Storage Volume
    Storage Volume
    7200000 = 7200000

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