Associated Event

28th International Conference on Paste, Thickened and Filtered Tailings
14–16 April 2026 InterContinental Lisbon | Lisbon, Portugal

Mine Backfill Design and Operation Workshop 

12-13 April 2026 | InterContinental Lisbon | Lisbon, Portugal

Introduction

Choosing the right type of backfill is very project specific; constraints such as schedule, cash flow, source materials and regional skills all impact the choice of backfill type and source.
The successful implementation of a backfill system is dependent on a number of factors. A fundamental understanding of the material properties and geomechanics, balanced process engineering and
hydraulic design, safe placement strategies and cost-effective operational
management planning are all important in order for backfill to do its job – support the mining cycle at the lowest cost possible.

The workshop consists of a combination of technical lectures, case studies, and practical laboratory demonstrations.

Objectives

The main objective of the workshop is to assist mining operations with the
principles of mine backfill design and the lessons learned on other mine operations throughout the world. Participants will gain an appreciation of the requirements for designing and operating a safe, cost-effective and reliable backfill system.
The workshop objectives are to:

  • Introduce the fundamental concepts of geomechanics and material properties;
  • Examine the various elements that go into engineering a backfill system, including testing, plant and process design, reticulation and barricades;
  • Relate to operational aspects of a backfill system, including quality assurance, cost reduction, operational management plans, risk control and new technology.

Delegates will also have the opportunity to participate in practical testing activities.

Who should attend? 

The course is designed for all professionals involved in backfill applications,
including:

  • Mining and geotechnical engineers
  • Chemical and mineral processing engineers
  • Mechanical engineers
  • Operational staff
  • Project and/or study managers
  • Business decision-makers
  • Government legislators and policy makers

This workshop runs for two days, however attendees have the option to attend day one only. Attendees must attend day one at the InterContinental Lisbon, to be able to attend day two at the University of Lisbon.

Program*

*Program subject to change.

Presenters

Leslie Correia
Senior Engineer
Paterson & Cooke, Canada

Leslie is a senior chemical engineer at Paterson & Cooke. He is the global backfill lead who brings international expertise from mining in the Americas and Africa, integrating tailings management and backfill technologies.

Andrea Diaz
Senior Process Engineer
WSP, Canada

Andrea has worked with WSP for the last 15 years on a variety of backfill plant design projects including paste backfill, cemented rockfill, and cemented hydraulic fill as well as reclamation operations. These projects have varied from scoping studies to detailed engineering, both in the office and onsite.

David Dussiaume
Principal Mechanical Engineer
WSP, Canada

David is presently a principal engineer with WSP and has 18 years of experience in the design of mine infrastructure and mine backfill systems. David has successfully designed and commissioned numerous backfill systems, globally Barrick Goldstrike Mines, Freeport’s Grasberg Mine and HZL’s Rampara Agucha Mine, to highlight a few.

Chris Lee
Fellow
WSP, Canada

Chris is a professional mechanical and mining engineer with over 28 years of experience in domestic (Canadian) and international mining projects, with a focus on backfill, dewatered tailings systems and mine infrastructure.

Enya Nilis
Senior Mining and Geotechnical Engineer
Paterson & Cooke, UK

Enya is a senior mining and geotechnical engineer at Paterson & Cooke. She is the backfill team lead for Europe, specialising in mine backfill plant and reticulation design.

Bernardt van der Spuy
Senior Engineer
Paterson & Cooke, South Africa

Bernardt is an experienced mechanical engineer with a strong exposure to backfill systems design and operations. He has extensive, international backfill experience which includes plant design, reticulation systems design, underground placement and backfill operations from conceptual phase to construction and commissioning.

Dr Ryan Veenstra
Principal Specialist Backfill
Gold Fields Australia

Ryan is a principal backfill specialist, providing technical and operational expertise and leadership for Gold Fields underground operations and projects. Over the last 20 years, he has been involved in backfill as an academic, consultant, and industry engineer (both in operations and corporate spaces).  His expertise and experience cover the entire backfill system with a particular speciality in backfill geomechanics. He has a geological engineering degree from the University of Waterloo and holds a PhD in civil engineering from the University of Toronto.