The Kogai Waste Dump A Case Study of the Observational Method

This paper describes the design and development of the Kogai waste dump using the Observational Method. The Kogai waste dump is an engineered structure located at the Porgera Gold Mine in Papua New Guinea. The main objective of the paper is to demonstrate through the example of Kogai that the Observational Method is valuable to many geotechnical projects, and to mine waste dump development in particular. The case history of the Kogai dump also highlights an innovative engineering solution that has allowed construction of a stable waste dump in an adverse geotechnical environment. “Lessons learned” from using the Observational Method for construction of the Kogai dump are also summarised.