Catoca Diamond Mine – implementation of an advanced monitoring network for a Tailings Storage Facility (2025)

Marçal Manuel Vicario, Manuel Fidel Sonhi Manassa, Enoque Makango Paiva, Lukombo Eduardo Luzaiadio Carlos & Kym L Morton²
Catoca Mining Society, Luanda, Angola, Talatona Sector
²KLM Consulting Services Pty Ltd, 22 Central Road, Sunrella AH, South Africa

Abstract
Catoca mine is an open-pit diamond mine belonging to Sociedade Mineira do Catoca in Angola that began in 1995. It has a large active tailings storage facility (TSF) and two smaller deactivated TSFs. Catoca aims to comply with Global Industry Standard on Tailings Management (GISTM) and has installed a comprehensive monitoring and fully automated control network infrastructure
that is connected to a database and dashboard viewed by operators and managers.
This interactive database can be accessed anywhere in the world. The enhanced monitoring network can be used in analysing the causes of TSF failures and providing early warnings for prevention of failures.
Keywords: Tailings Storage Facilities, Monitoring, Automation, Pore Pressures, Dam Failure, Diamond Mine

Citation: Vicario, Marçal Manuel; Manassa, Manuel Fidel Sonhi; Paiva, Enoque Makango; Carlos, Lukombo Eduardo Luzaiadio; Morton, Kym Lesley (2025): Catoca Diamond Mine – implementation of an advanced monitoring network for a Tailings Storage Facility (TSF). – In: Valente, T., Mühlbauer, R., Ordóñez, A., Wolkersdorfer, Ch.: International Mine Water Association Conference – Time to Come. – p. 956 – 962; Braga (International Mine Water Association).