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

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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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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Camino Rojo Mine

Heap Leach Procurement & Construction Quality Assurance Tierra Group provided Issued for Construction (IFC) design drawings and specifications for procurement requirements for the expansion of the Camino Rojo HLF. Information required included liner specifications, drainage collection piping, and quantities. Additionally,…

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North Mara Mine | Tailings Assurance Audit

Tierra Group completed a TAA for the North Mara Tailings Storage Facility (TSF). The TAA was completed to ensure the TSF and site operations complied with Barrick’s Tailings Management Standard, which closely mirrors the Global Industry Standard on Tailings Management (GISTM)…

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Antapaccay

Glencore’s Antapaccay mine is located in the Espinar province, Cuzco, Perú. Tierra Group logged geotechnical, geological and geo-mechanical properties of drill core advanced in Antapaccay's Northern Pit. Approximately 6,000 meters of core were logged. Specific samples were selected for geotechnical…

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Pinos Altos Mine

Tierra Group provided slope stability analysis for Agnico Eagle’s dry stack tailings storage facility containing 330,000 tonnes of tailings.

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Cerro Negro

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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Newcrest Cadia Tailings Stewardship

Tierra Group provided Tailings Stewardship Services for TSFs and water dams at the Cadia, Terfer, and Red Chris properties. Responsibilities included data/report review; identifying and assisting the client with managing risks, liabilities, controls, and reporting; evaluating progress towards GISTM compliance;…

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AranzazĂș Mine

The Aranzazú Mine is a copper-gold-silver mine located in the northeastern region of Zacatecas, Mexico. The mine includes both open pit and underground operations. The mill currently processes 2,600 tonnes of ore per day. Tierra Group finalized the geotechnical investigation…

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Copperstone Project

Tierra Group International, Ltd. participated as the geotechnical lead engineering firm for the Copperstone Project Pre-Feasibility Study (PFS) in Arizona, U.S.A. Tierra Group was responsible for tailings and waste rock storage, water management and underground geotechnics design and cost estimates…

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Bald Mountain Mine

Tierra Group assisted the Bald Mountain Mine Project Development Team with an evaluation of potential uses for spent ore on legacy heap leach facilities. Tierra Group completed a collaborative trade-off study with site personnel evaluating spent ore use as overliner…

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Empire State Mine

Dam Breach Analyses Tierra Group prepared a DBA to evaluate potential downstream impacts due to a hypothetical failure (breach) in three components of Empire State Mines (ESM) tailings storage facility (TSF): North Dam (ND), South Dam (SD), and West Perimeter…

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