Application of electrical resistivity tomography (ERT) in uranium mining earth dam

Abstract Dams are built to contain water or mining tailings and provide several benefits society. The safety stability of these structures essential since eventual accidents can generate catastrophic damage. main cause ruptures is associated with abnormal seepage, which progress an internal erosion process. To assess the dams, periodic inspections carried out, typically include visual geotechnical instrumentation. Some geophysical methods have potential assist conventional instrumentation using non-destructive rapid acquisition investigations. present study applied a finite element forward modeling evaluate percolation conditions in earth dam decommissioned uranium mine Brazil. final structure contention system treatment. electrical resistivity data were acquired tomography (ERT) Schlumberger array. results presented from inversion 3D models. processed by open-source software (modeling data). indicate presence vertical filter located crest area. different levels investigation indicated infiltration rock mass foundation. These supported structural surveys out area that fracturing pattern satisfactory for desired purposes demonstrate constitute important complementary tool monitoring dams.