Correlation between seismic wave velocities and rock quality designation in the foundation rock of a tailing’s storage dam

Mining operations play a crucial role in meeting the demands of various industrial sectors, necessitating a comprehensive approach to exploration, extraction, processing, and waste management. Radioactive mineral mining poses unique challenges due to the presence of potentially hazardous materials in tailings. Effective waste management is essential to mitigate environmental and public health risks associated with these materials. Geotechnical characterization of rock masses supporting critical structures like tailings dams is pivotal for ensuring their integrity and safety, as inadequate assessment can lead to catastrophic failures. In this work, variations in compressional wave velocities of the rock mass prior to the opening of the uranium mine were correlated with the rock quality geomechanical parameter. The study exhibited a good correlation between geomechanical and geophysical parameters. The linear equation obtained from this correlation was used to compare the results of new seismic tests conducted during the mine's decommissioning phase. The comparison of rock quality designation values obtained by photogrammetry with geophysical methods was consistent. This type of study enhances rock mass assessment practices, benefiting geotechnical, mining, civil engineering, and geophysical applications.