Geotechnical
Our Geotechnical Engineering Group originated in 1953 as Geocon Inc., a firm offering geotechnical, hydrogeological, and hydrology services to resource and industrial clients. The Group consists of recognized experts and technical specialists who provide practical and thorough solutions using proven and innovative technologies. The Group’s skills are enhanced by the multi-disciplinary expertise that is available within the SNC-Lavalin organization.
The Geotechnical Engineering Group has extensive experience on projects all over the world. Over the years, the team has gained an excellent understanding of engineering projects in climatic conditions ranging from arid climates to tropical forests and cold arctic environments.
Services
Feasibility Studies
- Site selection and conceptual design
- Geo-environmental assessment
- Soils and rock investigations
- Assessment of acid mine drainage potential
- Tailings and waste rock management
- Assistance in permit acquisition
Design and Detailed Engineering
- Site water management
- Hydrology and hydrogeology
- Tailings and mine rock storage
- Dam design
- Roads and airstrips
- Foundation design
- Cost estimating
Mine Site / Dam Safety Inspection and Evaluation
- Safety evaluation of dams, dikes and water control structures
- Instrumentation and monitoring of dams
- Water quality monitoring
- Emergency response plans
- Tailings OMS manuals
Closure Plans and Rehabilitation
- Audits and environmental assessments
- Physical & chemical site characterization
- Prediction of water quality
- Analyses of seepage and contamination plumes
- Closure options and design
Projects
Contacts
Diavik Diamond
The project is located at a remote sub-Arctic site, 350 km north of Yellowknife, Northwest Territories. Mining operations were only made possible by the construction of the innovative dike structure, which permits mining by isolating the diamond-bearing kimberlite pipes from the surrounding lake.The mine's remote permafrost location and the purity of the water in Lac de Gras placed severe environmental constraints on the project. The innovative and award winning design of the dike ensured that there was no environmental damage to the project's ecologically sensitive area.Services: Detail Design
Country : Canada
Country : Canada
Geco Copper/Zinc Project
SNC-Lavalin was retained to provide engineering services for the development and progressive implementation of a closure plan at its Geco zinc/copper mine in Manitouwadge, Ontario. The development of the closure plan included all aspects of engineering including site investigations, conceptual designs, seepage and stability analyses, hydrologic and hydraulic modelling, liaison with the relevant government ministries, assistance with permit approval, preparation of contract documents, construction drawings and technical specifications, detailed cost estimate, construction management, quality control, supervision and documentation of as-built conditions.Services: Closure Plan
Country : Canada
Country : Canada
Kabanga Nickel Project
In 2006/07 we carried out a major geotechnical field drilling program which required boreholes up to 1,000 metres deep and extensive hydraulic packer testing to measure bedrock permeability at this proposed underground nickel mine in western Tanzania. In addition to the field program covering all site facilities, we conducted a comprehensive study in close conjunction with the environmental team to narrow down the site selection and examine leading edge technology for managing the massive sulphide tailings. Our study included risk assessment Pugh Matrix analyses, which determined that the optimum design for the selected site was a multi cell tailings area with a water cover throughout the operating life of the mine, followed by a dry engineered cover for final closure.
Country : Tanzania
Country : Tanzania
Las Cristinas Gold Project
Over a two-year period in 2003/04, we conducted an extensive geotechnical investigation to obtain field information for a feasibility study and basic engineering design for a large open pit gold mine in Bolivar State in Venezuela. The geotechnical design work included the design of a major tailings area with a modified centerline construction technique for the storage of fine-grained low strength saprolite clay size tailings. A test fill program was also conducted at a nearby mine site to test the placement of fill in the upstream direction over the saprolite tailings.Services: Feasibility, Basic Engineering
Country : Venezuela
Country : Venezuela
Diavik Diamond
The project is located at a remote sub-Arctic site, 350 km north of Yellowknife, Northwest Territories. Mining operations were only made possible by the construction of the innovative dike structure, which permits mining by isolating the diamond-bearing kimberlite pipes from the surrounding lake.The mine's remote permafrost location and the purity of the water in Lac de Gras placed severe environmental constraints on the project. The innovative and award winning design of the dike ensured that there was no environmental damage to the project's ecologically sensitive area.Services: Detail Design
Geco Copper/Zinc Project
SNC-Lavalin was retained to provide engineering services for the development and progressive implementation of a closure plan at its Geco zinc/copper mine in Manitouwadge, Ontario. The development of the closure plan included all aspects of engineering including site investigations, conceptual designs, seepage and stability analyses, hydrologic and hydraulic modelling, liaison with the relevant government ministries, assistance with permit approval, preparation of contract documents, construction drawings and technical specifications, detailed cost estimate, construction management, quality control, supervision and documentation of as-built conditions.Services: Closure Plan
Kabanga Nickel Project
In 2006/07 we carried out a major geotechnical field drilling program which required boreholes up to 1,000 metres deep and extensive hydraulic packer testing to measure bedrock permeability at this proposed underground nickel mine in western Tanzania. In addition to the field program covering all site facilities, we conducted a comprehensive study in close conjunction with the environmental team to narrow down the site selection and examine leading edge technology for managing the massive sulphide tailings. Our study included risk assessment Pugh Matrix analyses, which determined that the optimum design for the selected site was a multi cell tailings area with a water cover throughout the operating life of the mine, followed by a dry engineered cover for final closure.
Las Cristinas Gold Project
Over a two-year period in 2003/04, we conducted an extensive geotechnical investigation to obtain field information for a feasibility study and basic engineering design for a large open pit gold mine in Bolivar State in Venezuela. The geotechnical design work included the design of a major tailings area with a modified centerline construction technique for the storage of fine-grained low strength saprolite clay size tailings. A test fill program was also conducted at a nearby mine site to test the placement of fill in the upstream direction over the saprolite tailings.Services: Feasibility, Basic Engineering
Home |
About Us |
Expertise |
Investors |
News Centre |
Careers |
Legal Notice |
© 2010 SNC-Lavalin.