Density measurements in a tailings dam using penetrologger tests

The most usual way ofidisposing mining wet tailings is to accumulate them directly into dams. Due to technical and economical reasons, the raising processes of such structures are typically made using the own tailings applying the hydraulic filling method. Usually, this method involves low level of quality control during the dam construction, which causes significant variations in terms of geotechnical behavior of these structures. Variations in thetailings characteristics and disposal procedures also contribute to this fact. This work is aimed to evaluate. The application of the penetrologger to determine the strength and density parameters during the raising process of an iron ore tailings dam situated in an important mining region in Brazil, known as "Quadrilitero Ferrifero". Additionally, piezocone (CPTU) and field density (driving cylinder) results from the same tailings,darn are compared.