Mud and Tailings Flow (MT) module for QGIS GUI is a comprehensive computer model capable of simulating inundation from sudden failure of tailings dams, and a wide range of hyperconcentrated flows ranging from non-Newtonian mud and debris flows to the movement of dry granular materials.

According to the Canadian Dam Association review of models to simulate tailings runout flows (*), RiverFlow2D is the only two-dimensional model capable of addressing the four typical tailings dam break scenarios (Cases 1A, 1B, 2A, and 2B).

RiverFlow2D MT model is the more complete and fastest software to make the most realistic flood risk assessments originating from sudden Dam and Tailings Dam Breaks. Selecting one out of 8 non-Newtonian rheological laws, the model can consider changing tailings properties that cover virtually all possible tailings ranging from relatively low-density high-water content fluids to granular materials.

The variable properties option in RiverFlow2D MT, can simulate a mixture of incoming tailings flows with water reservoirs or streams, including the effect of rainfall events, considering the complex interaction of the flowing tailings with the existing terrain materials, material deposition, and soil erosion.

RiverFlow2D MT has been thoroughly tested with real USGS (United States Geological Survey) field scale data and in projects worldwide, including the recent catastrophic events such as the Fundao and Brumadinho dam failures in Brazil. The numerical engine uses the same highly accurate finite-volume method of the RiverFlow2D model, making it the most advanced mud/debris flow flexible mesh two-dimensional model. RiverFlow2D MT offers eight different friction formulas for non-Newtonian and granular fluids for realistic predictions of runout distances in complex terrains.

RiverFlow2D MT, being widely used by hundreds of consultants worldwide, has been thoroughly tested with real data in actual tailings dam breaks in hundreds of dam break failure risk assessments. The numerical engine uses the same highly accurate finite-volume method of the RiverFlow2D model, making it the most advanced and complete hyperconcentrated flexible mesh 2D model available today. 

What can you simulate with RiverFlow2D MT ?

  • Assess tailings runout distances and area of inundation.

  • Determine times at which sensitive areas would be impacted. 

  • Erosion and deposition assessments.

  • Multiple inflows and initial deposits with variable properties.

  • Evaluate the interaction of tailings with water reservoirs and rivers

  • Consider supernatant water ponds over the tailings deposit

  • Tailings depth and velocities. 

  • Evaluate affected areas as a function of time resulting from a dam-break.

  • Dynamic calculation of tailings deposit volume mobilization.

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Why choose RiverFlow2D MT for tailings dam assessments?

  • RiverFlow2D MT is the most advanced truly two-phase two-dimensional model available for tailings dam breaks and debris flows simulations.

  • 8 rheological formulations, including Bingham, Quadratic, Coulomb, Granular, etc., that can represent virtually any type or tailings.

  • Multiple tailings size fractions, keeping track of its spatial and temporal variability.

  • Consider the temporal and evolution of bed materials based on the interaction with the tailings

  • Variable density, viscosity, and yield stress properties.

  • Can simultaneously model the trailing flow with contaminants present in the deposits.

  • Full tailings interaction with spatially variable terrain granulometry, including erosion and deposition.

  • Mixing of tailings with existing water reservoirs or streams.

  • Internal Dam Breach component considering piping and overtopping failure modes. 

  • Finite-volume numerical solution on flexible unstructured meshes for exact mass and momentum conservation.

  • Offers the fastest computations with GPU support, reducing runtimes from weeks to hours, or hours to minutes with respect to old-technology non-parallelized models.

  • Comprehensive Graphical User Interface based on QGIS.

  • Import any terrain elevation data files in any format

  • Automatic generation of flexible mesh that can be adapted to any geometry and complex terrain.

  • Initial dam surface conditions from raster or vector data.

  • Provides faster runtimes than any other model using GPU technology and Cloud Computing.

  • Output animations and high-quality maps. 

  • Hazard maps. 

  • Fully integrated with QGIS GUI

  • Online training and technical support

Please, email us at support@hydronia.com for a demonstration or to learn more about RiverFlow2D MT.

(*) Tailings Dam Breach Analysis. Technical Bulletin. Canadian Dam Association CDA. ISBN 978-1-989760-02-4. 2021. https://cda.ca/publications/cda-guidance-documents/tailings-dam-breach-analysis