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Recent failure at Pau Branco Mine, MG, Brazil

The recent failure at Pau Branco Mine, MG, Brazil is a classic example of cascading events. At this Vallourec Mineração (VMN) iron ore mine the failure of an uphill structure/slope led to overtopping of a downstream retention structure. As a result a flood reached a highway and the environment. Photograph provided by: Adolfo Tribst Corrêa A bit of Pau Branco innovation history Back in 2015 this mine was touted as a technological success when a new filter press module was installed.…

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Data required to run ORE2_Tailings

Now that the last eight blogposts (General ORE2 tailings workflow, ORE2 tailings technical explanations, first steps ORE2 tailings workflow , ORE2 tailings deployment steps , ORE2 tailings results, ORE2 tailings RIDM , ORE2 tailings tactical and strategic, ORE2 tailings conclusions) have shown the capabilities and results, let’s see the data required to run ORE2_Tailings quantitative risk assessments compliant with GISTM and ISO 31000. A few words on ORE2_Tailings™ methodology ORE2_Tailings™ is a subset of the “universal” ORE platform specific to Tailings…

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General ORE2 tailings workflow

ORE2_Tailings™ is a quantitative risk assessment platform. Riskope designed it specifically for tailings systems (active and inactive). When we deploy ORE2_Tailings™ to a portfolio of dams, possibly over multiple properties, it allows for tactical and strategic planning. Our practice has shown that ORE2_Tailings™ and the general ORE2 tailings workflow, delivers results similar to those of common practice quantitative approaches (Event trees, Failure trees, Bowties). Furthermore ORE2_Tailings™  enables answering specific questions linked to the causality of potential failures, optimization of cost…

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Strategic operational and tactical planning for tailings hydro dams

We are learning that structural integrity of hydro dams is also becoming an issue. Thus, similarly to tailings dams, we need a strategic operational and tactical planning for tailings hydro dams! Karl Terzaghi, American Society of Civil Engineers, “Terzaghi Lectures, 1974-1982,” American Society of Civil Engineers (1986) ISBN 0-87262-532-X. proposed that a dam rating system should provide ALL of the following: A logical framework for rating the relative safety of a dam Allow for the use of judgment and experience…

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One of the Best Online Business Analyst Courses uses Riskope definitions.

We are happy to see One of the Best Online Business Analyst Courses uses Riskope definitions. The course entitled Three Emerging Careers for Business Analysts from udemy teaches to define strategic, tactical and operational business planning techniques, audiences, and results. One of the Best Online Business Analyst Courses uses Riskope definitions. The course by Tom and Angela Hathaway ranks among the seven best business analyst courses following Webcourse World. Business analysis aims to define a future that will allow an organization to achieve…

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UNEP Tailings Dams report and residual risk assessment

UNEP Tailings Dams report and residual risk assessment discusses the joint UNEP-GRID Arendal assessment entitled “Mine Tailings Storage: Safety Is No Accident” from a risk assessment point of view. The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) released the report in October 2017 in Geneva. The report urges States and the industry to “end deadly and damaging mining waste spills by enforcing a zero-failure objective”. We believe that this objective requires some additional definitions and details. That is to make it truly…

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Why when approaching Strategic, Tactical & Operational planning one needs to know about Ostriches, Denial, and Prayers.

Strategic, Tactical & Operational planning While the world was feeling the aftershocks of the Great Recession, we wrote about 16 common Human traits when dealing with hazards and risks. Some of those 16 traits lead individuals and often their organizations to assume stances called Ostrich, Denial or Prayer, resulting in flawed Strategic, Tactical & Operational planning options and occasionally exposing them (and their neighbors, their environment, society at large) to significant hazards which could generate large unintended consequences, i.e. large risks leading to…

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More questions raised by Probability Impact graphs common practice

More questions raised by Probability Impact graphs common practice is all about the lack of logical robustness of the 4×4 or 5×5 risk matrix approaches. We oftentimes see PIGs risk matrix (probability impact graphs) based “ERM binning exercises” being presented where the scale of the graph (generally the consequence axis) is adapted when going from operational to corporate level. This practice certainly does not help a rational approach to strategic, tactical, operational levels and raises several questions. More questions raised by…

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