Antamina Tailings Dam, Tailings dam in Huincush Ravine, Ancash Region, Peru.
The Antamina Tailings Dam is an embankment structure in Huincush Ravine, Ancash Region, designed to store processed materials from mining operations. The dam spans 1,300 meters (4,265 feet) in length and rises 215 meters (705 feet) high, with a geomembrane lining and water diversion channels from the Ayash River maintaining its structural stability.
Construction of the facility began in 2000 as a concrete-face rockfill structure and reached completion in April 2001 at an elevation of 4,010 meters (13,156 feet). The initial structure rose 130 meters (426 feet) high and has been expanded since to meet growing demands from mining operations.
The dam is deeply tied to the mining operations that shape the region's economy and landscape. It represents how large-scale industrial infrastructure influences local development and daily life in the Andes.
The site is situated at high elevation in the Andes and presents challenging access for visitors. The terrain is steep and conditions can be unpredictable, so proper preparation is essential when exploring the area.
The water management system operates at a discharge rate of 150 liters per second diverted from the Ayash River. Treatment systems continuously monitor water quality to maintain environmental standards in a remote mountain location.
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