Russell, M 2008, 'So You Want to Have the Best Possible Waste Rock Dump', in AB Fourie (ed.), Rock Dumps 2008: Proceedings of the First International Seminar on the Management of Rock Dumps, Stockpiles and Heap Leach Pads, Australian Centre for Geomechanics, Perth, pp. 117-127, https://doi.org/10.36487/ACG_repo/802_10
(https://papers.acg.uwa.edu.au/p/802_10_Russell/)
Abstract: Open pit mining waste rock dumps represent very significant structures on most open pit mine sites.  If they 
are not developed well they represent a significant risk to the environment and there are substantial numbers 
of legacy sites worldwide where waste rock dumps have caused various and severe pollution of the wider 
environment.  Whilst historically this may have been seen as acceptable, it is most certainly not the case 
today.  Legislation, community expectations and corporate governance now demands that mining waste rock 
dumps have a minimal impact on the external environment whether the mine is developed close to urban 
populations or in remote locations. 
In addition to increasing environmental standards, the waste rock dump represents a significant financial 
investment costing multi-million dollars to construct with up to half the total truck hours being spent 
developing the structure. However, with good planning, the waste rock dump represents an opportunity to 
significantly reduce costs as well as improve the environmental outcomes.   
This paper discusses the considerations that need to be undertaken to give the opportunity for a low 
environmental risk and low cost rock dump to be developed.