Tailings characterisation and geotechnical testing is a specialised field that supports the safe design, construction, and long-term management of tailings storage facilities (TSFs) across Western Australia’s mining sector. Understanding how tailings settle, drain, and consolidate is critical to TSF stability, closure planning, and regulatory compliance. Western Geotechnical Laboratory Services (WGLS) provides specialist tailings testing using in-house methods, including Settlement Testing in both Drained and Undrained configurations to assess volume change and drainage behaviour under loading, and Air Drying testing to evaluate desiccation and moisture loss characteristics of tailings materials. These tests support geotechnical engineers, mine operators, and TSF designers working on new facilities, raises, and rehabilitation programs across Western Australia. Contact WGLS to discuss your tailings testing requirements and how we can support your TSF program.
