Sunrise Dam TSF

The original tailings dam was a conventional paddock style storage, but after initial start-up, a new system based on the concept of central thickened discharge (CTD) was quickly introduced. The CTD has operated since 1999.

The original CTD design comprised a cone approximately 2km in diameter, with a low perimeter wall. Bleed water and rainfall runoff are collected into a lined pond on the low side of the storage and recycled. A seepage interception drain was added around part of the perimeter and now recovers a significant proportion of the returned water.

There have been a series of small perimeter raises and raises of the pipeline access ramp. ATC Williams has worked closely with the process operators to optimise the depositional arrangement with a resulting progressive increase in beach slope and capacity.

Following continuing increases in the planned mine life, the footprint of the CTD has been significantly extended.