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SECTIONFOUR Conclusions and Recomrnendatlons <br />1 <br />' 4.1 CONCLUSIONS <br />The results of the undrained static stability analysis show that the calculated factor of safety for <br />the existing embankment is slightly reduced by the elevated phreatic surface modeled, but is <br />' within accepted criteria. The calculated factor of safety for the ultimate height dam is generally <br />unaffected by the elevated phreatic surface and meets acceptable criteria. <br />The results of the stability analysis also shows that the calculated factors of safety fo•r post- <br />earthquake conditions aze reduced by the elevated phreatic surface for both the existing and <br />ultimate height dam conditions. Comparing results shown on Figure 12 to those shown on <br />' Figure 10, it also appeazs that there is a small increase in the factor of safety within 10 years after <br />drawing down the PMP pond. The transient seepage analysis shows that while the phreatic <br />surface near the dam crest gradually decreases in elevation with time, the phreatic surface near <br />' the toe of the slope rises slightly in elevations in response to drainage. This trend in the shape of <br />the phreatic surface with time is highly sensitive to the conductivity of the tailing sands and to <br />the seepage condi±ions existing immediately after drawing down the PMP pond. Th.; calculated <br />theoretical factor of safety for post-earthquake conditions is above 1.0 for both dam :heights. <br />These calculated post-earthquake factors of safety aze judged to be acceptable because of the <br />conservative assumptions used in the analysis, as discussed in the previous section of this report. <br />4.2 RECOMMENDATIONS <br /> <br />1 <br /> <br /> <br /> <br />1 <br />J <br /> <br /> <br />The results of our analysis show that the dam meets acceptable stability criteria. Thc~ undrained <br />static stability of the dam is generally unaffected or only slightly affected by the raised phreatic <br />surface and the post-earthquake stability is reduced by the elevated phreatic surface. The lower <br />factors of safety calculated for post-earthquake conditions (about 1.05) aze judged to be <br />acceptable because of the conservative assumptions used in the analysis, as discusse(i above. <br />Even with the series of conservative assumptions, the post-earthquake factors of safety are still <br />greater than 1.0 and therefore are judged acceptable. <br />Our results also show that storage of the PMP storm event or the storage of water ne;u• the dam <br />crest can elevate the phreatic surface for long periods. <br />The actual behavior of the dam should be verified by monitoring the dam performance closely <br />following an extreme storm event. Following any event that produces a significantl}• elevated <br />pond, we recommend that Climax monitor the dam including: <br />• Perform an immediate dam inspection <br />• Conduct weekly piezometer monitoring until levels stabilize or fall. <br />• Review prior dam stability analysis results. <br />Dam stability may need to be reevaluated and our model recalibrated to account for the observed <br />changes in the phreatic surface and response to stored water. <br />Climax should continue with the current tailing deposition procedures. It is important that <br />Climax continue to control deposition in order to produce an engineered shell offree-draining <br />sands. Climax should periodically verify the dam construction using intrusive field techniques <br />such as drilling or piezocone soundings. <br />~~` NIPROJECT516B4A61B_MENDERSON_MILL_BARGtiSU80VBO PROD_DELMFI#tILL R3.D(IC\]4JULd1\\ 4-I <br /> <br />