--- title: Assessment of design and operating practices on the risks associated with waste rock stockpiles date: 2018-11-02T14:33:00-04:00 author: jessica napert canonical_url: "https://www.bbaconsultants.com/en-ca/publications/assessment-of-design-and-operating-practices-on-the-risks-associated-with-waste-rock-stockpiles" section: Publications --- 1. The risks associated with the construction, operation and closure of a Waste Rock Facility (WRF) can be significant. This paper demonstrates the impacts that design, construction and operation can have on the overall risk associated with such facilities. This paper first looks at a facility and its current ongoing operation. This is followed by an evaluation of risk for the proposed LOM configuration, with and without mitigating measures with respect to design, construction and operation. The risks associated with current operations as well as the configuration at closure carried with it a level of risk which the operator found inappropriate. Design, construction and operating recommendations were which reduced risks to acceptable levels. This paper relates the findings of this case study. Note that this white paper was the subject of a presentation at the Tailings and Mine Waste’18 Conference in Colorado State University. This content is for general information purposes only. All rights reserved ©BBA 1. ![4842](https://www.assets.bbaconsultants.com/bba-production-assets/production/images/avatars/_size_avatar/176544/4842.webp) Zoubir Bouazza, P.Eng., Ph.D. Principal Engineer, Earth and Infrastructure [ ](https://www.linkedin.com/in/zoubir-bouazza-64a61165/) 2. ![Luciano Piciacchia](https://www.assets.bbaconsultants.com/bba-production-assets/production/images/avatars/_size_avatar/3206/Luciano-Piciacchia.webp) Luciano Piciacchia, P.Eng., Ph.D. Senior Consulting Expert, Earth and Infrastructure [ ](https://www.linkedin.com/in/lucianopiciacchia/) - [ 14 Oct 2026 Power and Renewables Understanding regions and communities: human environment expertise supporting projects - ![Burelle Marie Andree](https://www.assets.bbaconsultants.com/bba-production-assets/production/images/avatars/_size_avatar/218105/Burelle-Marie-Andree.webp) Marie-Andrée Burelle Senior Environmental Professional ](https://www.bbaconsultants.com/en-ca/insights/understanding-regions-and-communities-human-environment-expertise-supporting-projects "Understanding regions and communities: human environment expertise supporting projects") - [ 01 Oct 2026 Power and Renewables Reliable power starts with the right grid interconnection strategy - ![Jeremie Cote](https://www.assets.bbaconsultants.com/bba-production-assets/production/images/avatars/_size_avatar/206702/Jeremie-Cote.webp) - ![Alizera Khosroshahi](https://www.assets.bbaconsultants.com/bba-production-assets/production/images/avatars/_size_avatar/216932/Alizera-Khosroshahi.webp) ](https://www.bbaconsultants.com/en-ca/insights/reliable-power-starts-with-the-right-grid-interconnection-strategy "Reliable power starts with the right grid interconnection strategy") - [ 23 Sep 2026 Power and Renewables As Alberta's solar boom subsides, Ontario's next wave is just beginning - ![Pr employee men scott fleming retouch web SQ LR BBA](https://www.assets.bbaconsultants.com/bba-production-assets/production/images/avatars/_size_avatar/204270/pr_employee_men_scott-fleming_retouch_web_SQ_LR_BBA.webp) - ![Brenden Marchewka](https://www.assets.bbaconsultants.com/bba-production-assets/production/images/avatars/_size_avatar/203981/Brenden-Marchewka.webp) ](https://www.bbaconsultants.com/en-ca/insights/as-albertas-solar-boom-subsides-ontarios-next-wave-is-just-beginning "As Alberta's solar boom subsides, Ontario's next wave is just beginning") - [ 14 Sep 2026 Other Industries Climate resilience planning is essential for long-term project performance - ![Pr employee men vincent clement retouch web SQ LR BBA](https://www.assets.bbaconsultants.com/bba-production-assets/production/images/avatars/_size_avatar/204267/pr_employee_men_vincent-clement_retouch_web_SQ_LR_BBA.webp) - ![Kate Ross](https://www.assets.bbaconsultants.com/bba-production-assets/production/images/avatars/_size_avatar/216019/Kate-Ross.webp) ](https://www.bbaconsultants.com/en-ca/insights/climate-resilience-planning-is-essential-for-long-term-project-performance "Climate resilience planning is essential for long-term project performance") [ See all ](https://www.bbaconsultants.com/en-ca/insights "Go to Publications listing page") Let’s think it further together [ Contact us ](https://www.bbaconsultants.com/en-ca/contact) 1. The risks associated with the construction, operation and closure of a Waste Rock Facility (WRF) can be significant. This paper demonstrates the impacts that design, construction and operation can have on the overall risk associated with such facilities. This paper first looks at a facility and its current ongoing operation. This is followed by an evaluation of risk for the proposed LOM configuration, with and without mitigating measures with respect to design, construction and operation. The risks associated with current operations as well as the configuration at closure carried with it a level of risk which the operator found inappropriate. Design, construction and operating recommendations were which reduced risks to acceptable levels. This paper relates the findings of this case study. Note that this white paper was the subject of a presentation at the Tailings and Mine Waste’18 Conference in Colorado State University. This content is for general information purposes only. All rights reserved ©BBA