Mining Institute, Kola Science Center, Russian Academy of Sciences, Apatity, Russia

A. I. Kalashnik, Head of Laboratory, Leading Researcher, Candidate of Engineering Sciences, a.kalashnik@ksc.ru
D. V. Zaporozhets, Researcher
A. Yu. Dyakov, Researcher

The experience gained by the Mining Institute KSC RAS in comprehensive research and multiscale monitoring of tailings dams at mines in the Kola region is presented. This means development of a set of interdisciplinary methods which allow obtaining complete and detailed information about both the tailings–ambiance system as a whole (size of tens of kilometers) and its individual components down to particles of soil and man-made ground (millimeters, centimeters). The set of methods consists of a few groups: visual observations, photography, engineering-geological, engineeringgeodetic, engineering-hydrological, geophysical, climatic, computer modeling, scientific and technical. The use of each group of methods, both individually and in combination with others, allows solving specific situational and forecast tasks, and obtaining data on the condition of a tailings dam and/or its components. Thus, the basic principles of research were implemented: effectiveness, detail, reliability, hierarchy, multiscale. Using the set of methods, the methodology is developed for the scientific and technical support of safe operation of tailings dams at mines in the Kola region. The methodology was fully implemented at the tailings dams of Kovdor GOK JSC, Kola MMC JSC, SZFK’s Oleniy Ruchey GOK, and, partially, at the hydraulic structures of the Apatit’s division in Kemerovo and at Olenegorsky GOK. The case-studies of investigations and their result processing are given. The positive implementation experience creates a basis for the application of this scientific and technical support methodology in other mining regions of the Russian Federation.

1. Chudaev Ya. V., Sukhikh S. V., Lytin O. V., Kostromin A. V. Development of tailings facilities at EVRAZ Kachkanar Mining and Processing Plant. Gornaya Promyshlennost. 2023. No. 3. pp. 19–22.
2. Lykov V. A., Grigoreva I. Yu. Environmental impact on tailings dam no. 4 at the Karabash Metallurgical Plant. Geology, Geoecology and Resource Potential of the Ural and Adjacent Area : XI All-Russian Youth Conference Proceedings. Moscow : Pero, 2023. pp. 153–156.
3. Kalashnik A. I., Maksimov D. A., Kalashnik N. A., Dyakov A. Yu., Zaporozhets D. V. et al. Integrated Multilevel Research and Monitoring of Mine Tailings Dams in the Northwest Russian Sector of the Arctic. Apatity : Izdatelstvo KNTs RAN, 2022. 250 p.
4. Shchiptsov V. V., Tishkov S. V., Volkov A. D. Current condition and potential expansion of tailings storage facilities at an Arctic monotown: A case-study of Karelskiy Okatysh. Gornyi Zhurnal. 2023. No. 2. pp. 68–73.
5. Tabakaev N. M., Tabakaev G. B. Integrated approach to assessment of tailing dumps of processing plants as secondary deposits. Arktika i innovatsii. 2025. Vol. 3, No. 1. pp. 42–58.
6. Kochetkov A. V. Up-to-date digital methods of tailings dam management. Ratsionalnoe osvoenie nedr. 2023. No. 5(73). pp. 32–34.
7. Chukin R. B., Sentsova E. A., Nikitin M. S., Mirnyy A. Yu., Chukin B. A. et al. Seismic stability assessment of the Kumtor Mine Tailings Dam (the Kyrgyz Republic). Power Technology and Engineering. 2025. Vol. 58, No. 5. pp. 775–783.
8. Haitao M., Yihai Z. Physical modeling of tailings dams in China: A review. Journal of Mining Science. 2022. Vol. 58, No. 4. pp. 548–560.
9. Johndrow T., Dumaresq C., Davies M., Machin D., Heyes J. et al. Tailings Management: Good Practice Guide. London : ICMM, 2025. 148 p.
10. Padovani F. A. Bretas T. Tailings dam’s safety assessment considering undrained foundation failure. Proceedings of the TMIC 2022 Slope Stability Conference. Dordrecht : Atlantis Press, 2023. pp. 44–52.
11. Alsharedah Y. A., El Naggar M. H., Ahmed A. Improving tailings dam safety via soil treatment. Sustainability. 2023. Vol. 15, Iss. 21. ID 15276.
12. Chronology of Major Tailings Dam Failures. 2026. Available at: https://www.wiseuranium.org/mdaf.html (accessed: 28.02.2026).
13. Martin T. E., Davies M. P. Development and Review of Surveillance Programs for Tailings Dams. Association of State Dam Safety Officials, 2025. Available at: https://damsafety.org/content/development-and-review-surveillance-programs-tailingsdams (accessed: 04.03.2026).
14. Kalashnik A. I. Integrated research and monitoring of mine tailings on the Kola Peninsula. Gornyi Zhurnal. 2020. No. 9. pp. 101–106.