This paper discusses why Argyle Diamonds adopted thickened
tailings disposal in 1985 and how the system was developed over
the next seven years. A wide ranging review of the thickened
tailings disposal system and the tailings deposit it was producing
was carried out during 1992 and 1993. The results of that review
led to the abandonment of thickened tailings disposal at Argyle
because of serious concerns about the stability of the resultant
tailings deposit. The exposure to the risk of liquefaction and an
assessment of the consequences if this happened to the thickened
tailings deposit are shown. The criteria for selecting the new
tailings disposal strategy are then described. The final section of
the paper discusses the management strategies that have been put
in place. These are designed to: reduce the risk posed by the thickened tailings deposit to an
acceptable level; safely store tailings to the end of mine life; produce a land form that can be decommissioned to the
satisfaction of Government regulatory bodies.