Incident summary
A mine tailings dam experienced structural failure, resulting in a significant mudslide. The incident damaged 20 residences, completely destroyed 9 homes, hospitalised multiple people, left others missing, and caused three fatalities. Following initial response, a secondary collapse occurred on 28 September.
Root cause analysis
The facility's engineering practices were outdated, featuring:
- Unidirectional waste depositing
- Erosion gullies on dam walls
- Excessive ponded water against retaining structures
Water infiltration and external erosion triggered instability, with the primary breach occurring on the south side where most tailings escaped. Management engaged an approved professional to evacuate remaining compartment contents preventatively.
Services delivered
- Emergency search and rescue support
- Drone-based aerial surveying
- 3D digital twin creation through photogrammetry
- Damage assessment and quantification
- Rehabilitation planning and analysis
Outcome
The team created a 3D model enabling remote analysis that reduced the dangers of being on site, while establishing documentation for future prevention strategies.