Abstract
M.A.
Environmentally, the past 10 - 15 years have experienced a very positive approach to improving
the quality of affluent discharged from the mining processes and ultimately the quality of seepage
from the tailings dam area to the receiving environment. With the concern and pressure by the
public and the regulatory agencies, and the cooperative efforts between industry, regulatory
agencies and research laboratories, much has transpired. These developments include improved
site selection and design methods.
Kolwezi Copper mine is in need of a new tailings dam. This study focuses on the elimination of
unsuitable areas and the identification of candidate tailings dam sites using criteria prescribed by
process specialists and engineers. These criteria were mapped and overlaid using a Geographical
Information System (GIS). The sites with inherent flaws were thus eliminated and the most
suitable locations identified for final selection taking in consideration operational requirements.