Why we recommend Willowstick for tailings storage facility monitoring

Willowstick is a geophysical seepage-mapping technology that helps identify groundwater movement, seepage pathways, and potential leakage zones within and around tailings storage facilities (TSFs), embankments, and dams.
Unlike conventional monitoring methods that rely on boreholes, piezometers, and visual inspections at discrete locations, Willowstick provides spatial coverage between monitoring points. By introducing a low-voltage electrical current into groundwater and measuring the resulting magnetic field at the surface, the technology creates 2D and 3D models that reveal how water is moving underground.
In simple terms, Willowstick tracks the flow of electrical current through groundwater pathways and uses surface measurements to map seepage migration and groundwater flow.

Why is it useful for tailings dams?

 

Uncontrolled seepage, elevated pore pressures, internal erosion, and unexpected groundwater movement are common contributors to tailings dam risk. Willowstick provides valuable insight into these processes by:

• Identifying seepage migration pathways and preferential groundwater flow paths.
• Locating palaeochannels and areas of potential leakage.
• Supporting dam safety assessments and remediation planning.
• Providing data that supports compliance with the Global Industry Standard on Tailings Management (GISTM).

HydroTerra’s Tailings Monitoring Approach

 

At HydroTerra, Willowstick forms part of an integrated tailings monitoring solution that combines geophysical mapping with conventional instrumentation and environmental monitoring.

A typical program may include Willowstick seepage mapping, vibrating wire piezometers, pond level monitoring, weather stations, water quality monitoring, telemetry-enabled DataStream™ dashboards, drone surveys, and automated compliance reporting.

Rather than replacing traditional monitoring systems, Willowstick complements them by answering a critical question: Where is the water travelling between our monitoring points?

While piezometers provide conditions at a specific location, Willowstick helps visualise the broader seepage pathways between those locations. Together, they provide a more complete understanding of tailings dam performance.

Benefits for Tailings Dam Operators

 

• Early seepage detection through the identification of preferential flow paths before seepage becomes visible at the surface.
• Reduced investigation costs by helping target drilling and remediation activities more effectively.
• Improved dam safety understanding through better characterisation of seepage behaviour in embankments, foundations, and abutments.
• Support for GISTM-aligned monitoring programs by enhancing seepage and water-balance assessments.

For further information on Willowstick technology and HydroTerra’s tailings monitoring solutions, please contact our team.

Contact our Team