Statement of Qualifications

Mankind lives on the earth. Everything built, either originated from, is built on, or interacts with, the earth. Geology is the science of the earth. Geotechnical Engineering is the application of geology and mathematics to use Earth’s natural resources to build infrastructure. Tierra Group International, Ltd. applies its geotechnical expertise to the conception, design, construction, and operations of physical structures for the mining industry, including:

  • Foundations
  • Tailings Dams
  • Water Dams
  • Heap Leach Pads
  • Mine Pits
  • Waste Rock Dumps
  • Hydraulic Structures (Canals, Channels, Pipelines, etc.)
  • Civil Infrastructure (Plants, Buildings, Roads, Bridges, etc.)

Tierra Group has applied its 100+ years combined professional geological and engineering expertise consulting on, or designing and constructing, dozens of these structures on six continents. This geographic variety has allowed Tierra Group’s Team to develop expertise designing facilities under challenging geotechnical conditions such as:

  • Laterites
  • Saprolites
  • Swelling or Collapsible Soils
  • Karst
  • Variable Geology
  • Highly and Active Seismicity (Earthquakes)
  • High Altitudes (4,000-m amsl)
  • Tropics

Tierra Group has innovatively adapted to these challenging environments using highly-trained professionals and state-of-the-art techniques and software to perform the following tasks and analyses:

  • Site Characterization
  • Soil/Rock Mechanics
  • Geologic Hazards - Landslide, Rock Fall, Avalanches, Seismic (Earthquakes)
  • Geotechnical Analyses - Slope, Stability, Seepage, Settlement, Consolidation, Deformation, Liquefaction
  • Civil Design and Specifications
  • Construction Documents
  • Resident Engineering
  • Quality Assurance
  • Operations Support
  • Forensics and Mitigation
  • Peer Reviews

Regardless of the geotechnical challenges posed, Tierra Group’s broad experience, intimate attention to site-specific conditions, and keen focus on developing innovative solutions, has earned us a respected reputation and loyal clients around the world.


Select Geotechnical Projects

Orotex Mine Project

Tierra Group provided tailings engineering design and consulting services for the redevelopment of the Orotex underground mine in Alajuela, Costa Rica. Tierra Group's areas of responsibility included tailings and water management in this environmentally sensitive, high rainfall, tropical, mountainous region.

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Ernesto e Pau-a-Pique

The Ernesto e Pau-a-Pique (EPP) Mine is located in the Municipality of Pontes e Lacerda, at 440 kms west of Cuiba City, Brazil. The mine is operated by Apoena Mining, a subsidiary of Aura Minerals Inc. Tierra Group was retained…

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Yauricocha Mine

The Yauricocha Mine is a polymetallic (copper, lead, zinc) underground mine located in Yauyos Province, Lima, Peru. Tailings are deposited in the Yauricocha Tailings Storage Facility (TSF) located 3km from the process plant. Tierra Group was engaged in 2015 to…

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Black Butte Copper Project

Tierra Group performed an independent engineering design review of a Cemented Tailings Facility (CTF) and multiple processes and freshwater ponds. Tailings will be mixed with cement at the paste plant and deposited in the CTF along with underground mine development…

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Equity Silver ITRB

Tierra Group's Matt Fuller, LEG, P.Geo. serves as one of three ITRB technical experts providing technical assurance of the Engineer of Record’s design and monitoring compliance with BC regulations, the Newmont Corporate Tailings Standard, and industry best practices.

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El Gallo Mine

El Gallo is a 3,000 tpd open-pit gold/silver mine located in the foothills of the Sierra Madre Mountain Range in Mexico’s Sinaloa State. Gold is recovered through heap leaching and adsorption/desorption/recovery (ADR). Production commenced at El Gallo with the first gold pour in September…

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Fekola Project | Mali

Earthworks & Construction Quality Control (CQC) Services Tierra Group provided earthworks and concrete Construction Quality Control (CQC) services for B2Gold's Fekola Mine in western Mali. Tierra Group overcame the remote location and kept a dedicated team on-site throughout the 2-year…

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Masbate Mine

Tierra Group performed a study of Masbate’s 12-Mt tailings storage facility. Services provided included a forensic study to determine the cause of seepage through an abutment and performed an independent safety audit of tailings management practices. A risk analysis was performed…

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Los Filos Mine

Tierra Group was selected to assist Goldcorp with global Tailings Stewardship Strategy (TSS) implementation at all of Goldcorp’s active tailings sites in Latin America (Mexico, Argentina, and Guatemala). Tierra Group worked in conjunction with Goldcorp and another global engineering consulting…

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Hermosa Project

Tierra Group provided a Third-Party review of the Hermosa Project Tailings Storage Facility Design and Construction stages 1 & 2 in Patagonia, Arizona

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San Bartolome Mine | NI 43-101 Tailings Technical Review & Report

Tierra Group performed an Independent Tailings Technical Review to support the San Bartolomé Mine Prefeasibility Study (PFS) NI 43-101 Technical Report (TR). SRK Consulting Inc. (SRK) is the primary TR author. Tierra Group will provided a Qualified Person (QP) to oversee…

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Sweetwater Mine

Sweetwater Mine Permitting Tierra Group’s Team began work at the Sweetwater mine in 1993 assisting permitting and developing tailings impoundment management strategies for the mine. We successfully designed and installed an innovative internal seal for repair of the mine’s damaged…

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