The Development of Water Balance Models for Tailings Management

The management of water on a tailings storage facility (TSF) is an important aspect of the overall management of a TSF. A useful tool to assist with TSF water management is a water balance model that tracks water inflows and outflows, and the change in surface water storage on a TSF. This paper discusses the components of a TSF water balance model and the uses of such a model. A case study illustrating the development of a water balance model for the TSFs at Kalgoorlie Consolidated Gold Mines is then presented.