 management following several high-profile failures in recent years. Recognising the need for a modern, proactive approach, OceanaGold’s Waihi operation in New Zealand partnered with Seequent to pilot, develop and validate an innovative, digitally-connected workflow that raises the standard for TSF safety, compliance,Read More){kind=link}
The mining industry continues to face pressure to improve tailings storage facility (TSF) management following several high-profile failures in recent years. Recognising the need for a modern, proactive approach, OceanaGold’s Waihi operation in New Zealand partnered with Seequent to pilot, develop and validate an innovative, digitally-connected workflow that raises the standard for TSF safety, compliance, and collaboration.
Traditional TSF management methods are often reactive and fragmented, relying heavily on manual observations and disconnected datasets. To overcome these challenges, OceanaGold and Seequent worked together to build a real-time 3D model of the TSF that updates continuously as new data becomes available. Powered by Seequent’s Leapfrog, GeoStudio, and Central solutions, this integrated model enables a fully integrated workflow for monitoring, modelling, and analysis.
The solution consolidates geotechnical, geological, and instrumentation data into a single platform, providing a shared source of truth for both site engineers and external stakeholders. This enhances operational visibility and improves decision-making – particularly important in Waihi’s context, where seismic risks and heavy rainfall demand robust risk management.
This initiative was developed in response to several site-specific and industry-wide challenges. OceanaGold’s geotechnical team needed a solution that could unify disparate data sources, support rigorous analysis, and clearly demonstrate compliance with standards like the Global Industry Standard on Tailings Management (GISTM). By implementing the 3D model, they not only streamlined their internal processes but also created a transparent, auditable system for reporting to regulators and independent reviewers.
A key element of the Waihi pilot system was the integration of Bentley’s iTwin IoT platform, which enables real-time monitoring and automated reporting in a cloud-based environment. This connects on-site sensors directly to the 3D model, allowing engineers to track conditions like core pressure or groundwater levels after rainfall or seismic events. By combining 3D modelling with live data, iTwin IoT transforms the model into an interactive decision-support tool – adding transparency, version control, and audit-ready metadata across all phases of tailings governance.
Central to the system is a monitor > model > analyse workflow. Real-time data from piezometers, inclinometers, and rainfall gauges feeds into the model. When thresholds are exceeded, automated updates to slope stability calculations are triggered. This allows engineers to respond rapidly, with confidence backed by data.
Geological modelling using Leapfrog Geo and GeoStudio was key to validating the TSF’s design. Engineers simulated seepage conditions and performed factor of safety calculations under various loading scenarios. These models were linked to monitoring data, creating a feedback loop that enhances predictive capabilities and supports long-term planning.
“The success of this initiative shows how real-time digital tools can transform the way we manage tailings,” said Pieter Neethling, Seequent technical lead on the project. “By integrating data, workflows and people, we’re helping mining operators make better decisions – faster, and with greater transparency.”
Seequent says the Waihi case study demonstrates the real-world value of digital innovation in tailings management. “With off-the-shelf tools and a collaborative approach, OceanaGold and Seequent have created a best-practice framework that prioritises safety, transparency, and efficiency. Importantly, this initiative underscores how 3D models can shift TSF oversight from a reactive to a proactive discipline.”
It adds: “As the mining industry continues to face increasing scrutiny around tailings management, practical, data-led approaches offer a clear path forward. By combining established geotechnical principles with modern digital tools and collaborative workflows, Seequent and OceanaGold are demonstrating how TSF oversight can become more transparent, responsive, and resilient.”