RISK ASSESSMENT FOR EXISTING MINE TAILING STORAGE FACILITIES IN BRAZIL

TransGas undertook a risk-ranking project for storage facilities as the first step in the process of evaluating the financial and life-safety risk associated with the eight storage facilities that they operate in Saskatchewan, Canada. Based on this analysis, two salt cavern storage facilities were selected for a quantitative risk assessment. The most cost-effective maintenance actions for each cavern were determined as follows: Fault trees were prepared for all of the identified failure scenarios. Several unique computer models were developed to predict the failure rates of the events identified in the fault trees and the consequences associated with both sub-surface and atmospheric releases from the storage facilities. Both life-safety and financial risk were considered in the analysis. For each of the caverns, a number of potential maintenance scenarios were selected that address the dominant failure causes. Life-safety risk was assessed first and compared to the TransGas tolerance. A cost optimization analysis was then carried out in which the total expected future cost associated with each maintenance option was amortized over the benefit period and compared to the total expected future cost associated with the current maintenance practice. The paper describes the risk analysis and cost optimization approach and provides case study examples of the caverns analyzed and the recommendations reached in each case.

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A risk assessment tool for tailings storage facilities

Canadian Geotechnical Journal ◽

10.1139/cgj-2020-0329 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Karen Chovan ◽

Michel R. Julien ◽

Edouardine-Pascale Ingabire ◽

Michael James ◽

Edouard Masengo ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Risk Assessment ◽

Assessment Tool ◽

Mining Industry ◽

Probability Of Failure ◽

Assessment Tools ◽

Risk Assessment Tool ◽

Complex Nature ◽

Annual Probability ◽

Construction Operation ◽

Storage Facilities

The recent occurrence of several major failures of tailings storage facilities (TSF) has caused the mining industry to focus on significantly improving the engineering and management (design, construction, operation, and monitoring) of these structures to reduce their environmental impact. This effort is led by the Mining Association of Canada, which mandates the application of risk assessment in tailings management. Due to the very complex nature of TSF, such as phased design and construction, continuous operation, and evolving guidelines and practices over many years, the application of traditional risk assessment tools has limitations. A risk assessment tool specifically developed for TSF management is presented. This tool is based on the work of Silva et al. (2008) that relates the annual probability of failure to the factor of safety and the level of engineering. This relationship was modified to reflect current practice. The annual probability of failure was then combined with a consequence rating to produce a rational and quantifiable evaluation of risk. The risk assessment tool provides detailed information on the level of practice of a structure, the corresponding annual probability of failure as well as the associated risk. Validation of the tool included application to a recent well-documented failure.

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Safety Management Plan through Offsite Risk Assessment during Tank Terminal Construction

Journal of Korean Society of Environmental Engineers ◽

10.4491/ksee.2020.42.11.548 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 42 (11) ◽

pp. 548-557

Author(s):

Eun Sung Baek ◽

Kyoshik Park

Keyword(s):

Risk Assessment ◽

Safety Management ◽

Quantitative Risk Assessment ◽

Assessment Process ◽

Case Scenario ◽

Worst Case ◽

Alternative Scenario ◽

Worst Case Scenario ◽

Port Area ◽

Storage Facilities

Objectives : In order to conduct the quantitative risk assessment for hazardous chemical storage facilities at the tank terminal in the port area, the entire risk assessment process was performed in according to the guidances of the Korea Ministry of Environment.Methods : The risk of the facility was derived by the worst-case scenario, alternative scenario, and then evaluated by KORA program. The countermeasures of the risk were suggested by the concept of LOPA.Results and Discussion : Focusing on the worst case scenario and alternative scenario among the scenario having effet to offsite, risk can be reduced to satisfy regulation by applying measures of passive, active, and managerial.Conclusions : According to the result of risk assessment on benzene storage tank and tank lorry when port construction, the amount of storage inside the tank has a significant impact on the offsite. It is necessary to organize the risk of benzene, and comprehensive management of tank terminal storage facilities.

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