Supporting the Long-Term Performance of Critical Containment Infrastructure

As operations at Detour Lake Mine continue to expand, so does the volume of tailings requiring safe, long-term containment. 

To support ongoing mine operations, the Tailings Management Area (TMA) must be raised incrementally while meeting strict construction, quality, and environmental requirements. The performance of the facility depends on proper material selection, placement, compaction, and verification throughout construction. 

Since 2022, Allnorth has worked alongside Takwata Builders, providing quality control services that support the construction of multiple annual tailings dam raises within the Detour Lake Tailings Management Area. 

Our team performs material sampling, laboratory testing, density verification, compaction testing, and field inspections to confirm that materials placed by the contractor meet project specifications and quality requirements. Results are delivered quickly, helping construction activities progress without unnecessary delays while maintaining quality standards. 

Over the course of the project, Allnorth has supported tailings dam raises totaling approximately 14 to 20 metres of additional containment capacity. 

The relationship has grown beyond the original testing scope. Through responsive field support, timely reporting, attention to detail, and close collaboration with Takwata Builders and other project stakeholders, Allnorth has become an integrated part of project delivery, resulting in continued engagement and expanded responsibilities across multiple construction seasons. 

Why It Matters 

Containment facilities are often most successful when nobody notices them. 

The consequences of deficiencies in material placement, compaction, or construction quality may not appear immediately, but over time they can affect performance, create operational challenges, or increase environmental risk. 

By independently verifying materials and construction activities throughout each raise, Allnorth helps reduce the risk of issues that could affect long-term facility performance while supporting efficient project delivery in a remote operating environment.