Challenging economic conditions and changing environmental regulations are resulting in tailings pipeline systems that travel longer distances at higher concentrations, and with longer design lives.
At Ausenco, we design and implement tailings storage facilities that are robust, reliable, and built for long-term sustainability. Our multidisciplinary approach integrates geotechnical, environmental, process, pipelines and asset integrity expertise—ensuring every system is engineered for structural reliability, operational safety, long-term resilience, and efficient transport.
Our tailings pipeline solutions include the use of gravity flow, open channel flow, energy dissipation, multiple pumps in series, and thickened or paste disposal. With decades of experience in complex hydraulics and tailings disposal, we apply advanced modelling tools to optimise flow behaviour, pumping configurations, and thickened/paste tailings performance. We tailor every solution to the unique operational, climatic and geotechnical conditions of your site.
Tailings leaks can have severe environmental, social, reputational and operational consequences. We mitigate these risks by integrating asset integrity into our entire design process―we work to ensure your pipelines and associated infrastructure remain structurally, mechanically and electrically sound throughout their lifecycle. Using our Pipeline Advisor software to manage and optimise our tailings infrastructure, we minimise your risks, improve reliability, and extend asset life.
Our full range of services for tailings transport and delivery systems include:
Conventional tailings
- Cyclone sand separation and distribution
- Single point discharge
- Perimeter spigotting
- Open channel flow (launder system)
- Drop box systems
Paste and thickened tailings
- Surface deposition
- Underground hydraulic/paste backfill systems
- Dry stacking
Residue disposal (bauxite and red muds)
- Central ramp discharges
- Side hill discharges
Ash management
- High concentrated slurry disposal
- Fly ash, bottom ash
- Central ramp discharges
- Side hill discharges
Water management and reclaim systems
- Water balance and release
- Reclaim barge
- Decant tower
- Seepage water pumping
- Deep sea tailings placement