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US 2024/0280019 A1Published application
Method of Reducing Risk to Mine Tailings Dams by Controlling Melting Rate of Snow
OwnerBernard W. SWARBRICKinventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method of controlling snowmelt rate and meltwater flow through the use of a snow management pile of a desired density and shape selected from conic, cube and ridge-shaped.
Claims20
A method of controlling at least one of i) snowmelt rate and ii) meltwater flow (including peak flows), in a storage area of a tailings storage facility, the method comprising steps of:
- preparing at least one snow management pile in said storage area by collecting snow in one or more shapes selected from the group consisting of cubic, conical and ridge-shape;
- wherein the one or more shapes of the one or more snow piles having an angular slope reducing sun exposure of a surface of said one or more snow piles;
- and
- wherein the one or more shapes of the one or more snow piles having a density and height configured to reduce at least one of i) said snowmelt rate and ii) said meltwater flow in said storage area of said tailings storage facility.
1 more element
An engineered snow pile in a storage area of a tailings storage facility, said engineered snow pile controlling at least one of i) snowmelt rate and ii) meltwater flow in said storage area of said tailings storage facility, said engineered snow pile comprising:
- i. a predetermined density greater than a density of naturally accumulated snow;
- ii. an angular slope reducing sun exposure of a surface of said engineered snow pile;
- iii. a shape selected from the group consisting of cubic, conical and ridge-shaped;
- and
- iv. a height greater in length than a length of a base of said engineered snow pile.
2 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.