Effect of Microbial Induced Carbonate Precipitation on the Stability of Mine Tailings

Dams and impoundments are the most conventional method for depositing mine tailings material. Regular operation of the tailings dams often increase the height of the dams, which may make them susceptible to failure. Many existing mine tailings dams are prone to slope failure and require remediation. In this study, microbial induced calcium carbonate precipitation (MICP) is presented as a new method to improve the stability of mine tailings dams against slope failure. MICP also has the potential to improve other deficiencies of the mine tailings material such as surface erosion, static liquefaction, and dynamic liquefaction. In the present study, Slope/W program is used to perform slope stability analysis and observe the effect of MICP on the static slope stability of mine tailings material. The results show an increase in the slope stability after biocementation. The level of improvement in the factor of safety against slope failure depends on the level of treatment.