The Mexican Society of Geotechnical Engineering (SMIG), in collaboration with its Technical Committee on Dams and Mining Tailings storage Facilities and the TC221 Tailings and Mine Wastes Technical Committee of the International Society for Soil Mechanics and Geotechnical Engineering, is pleased to announce the 2nd International Symposium, which will take place in Hermosillo, Sonora, from March 11 to 13, 2026.
The objective of the Symposium continues to be promoting the state of the art and best practices in planning, design, construction, operation, and closure of Tailings Storage Facilities, with special emphasis on risk analysis and management. The technical program will include keynote lectures by internationally recognized specialists, as well as presentations of relevant papers.
Hermosillo, capital of the state of Sonora, located in northwestern Mexico, is an important economic and logistic center linked to the country's mining development. The city offers excellent infrastructure and ideal conditions to host a world-class international event.
The organizers extend a cordial invitation to the national and international technical community to share experiences, knowledge, and proposals that strengthen the sustainability and reliability of deposit projects.
October 15, 2025 deadline for abstract submission
December 15, 2025 deadline for paper submission
December 30 early registration deadline
January 15, 2026 notification of paper acceptance
Co-Chairs
Alexandra Ossa López
Osvaldo Flores Castrellón
1.1. Site and tailings characterization.
1.2. Geological, geohydrological, and geotechnical studies.
1.3. Seismic characterization and criteria for selecting the design earthquake.
1.4. Geotechnical characterization of Tailings storage facilities (In situ and laboratory).
1.5. Critical topics: determination of peak and residual undrained shear strength.
1.6. Critical topics: characterization to assess liquefaction susceptibility.
1.7. Rheological characterization of Tailings.
1.8. Geochemical characterization.
1.9. Instrumentation and monitoring experience.
1.10. Monitoring of groundwater levels and site aquifers.
Co-Chairs
Carlos Omar Vargas Moreno
María Elena Acevedo Valle
Eduardo Ang Lugo
2.1. Tailings management: conventional (slurry), thickened, paste, and filtered.
2.2. Innovation and technology in Tailings.
2.3. Tailings trade-off studies.
2.4. Tailings management systems.
2.5. Operational considerations for Tailings Storage facilities.
2.6. Operation, maintenance, and surveillance.
2.7. Deposition plans.
2.8. Observational method.
2.9. RTFE and EoR experiences and practices.
Co-Chairs
Sergio Hernández Mira
Jorge Bricio Guillén Guillén
Pamela Hernández Arenas
Natalia del Pilar Parra Piedrahita
3.1. Risk assessment and risk management.
3.2. Risk analysis methodologies.
3.3. Environmental and geochemical risks.
3.4. Geological and geotechnical risks.
3.5. Seismic hazard.
3.6. Hydrology and climate change from a risk perspective.
3.7. Analysis of credible failure modes.
3.8. Dam breach analysis.
3.9. Dam Safety Review (DSR) and Dam Safety Inspection (DSI).
3.10. Emergency response plans.
3.11. ALARP risk approach.
Co-Chairs
Miguel Ángel Mánica Malcom
Rigoberto Rivera Constantino
Daniel Servigna
4.1. Experience in the design and construction of Tailings Storage facilities.
4.2. Design criteria.
4.3. Geological and geotechnical aspects.
4.4. Seismic aspects.
4.5. Geotechnical analysis and design.
4.6. Water management and water balance.
4.7. Hydrotechnical analysis and design.
4.8. Liner systems, filters, drains, and piping.
4.9. Water management and recovery systems.
4.10. Hydraulic structures (emergency overflow structures and spillways).
4.11. Stability analysis.
4.12. Static and dynamic analysis.
4.13. Numerical modeling of stress-strain and flow liquefaction.
4.14. Performance thresholds and TARP (Trigger Action Response Plans).
4.15. Closure planning and landform design.
Co-Chairs
Carlos Ramírez de Arellano
Víctor Hernández Bartolo
Alejandro Ortiz Pizzoglio
Co-Chairs
Carlos Ramírez de Arellano
Víctor Hernández Bartolo
Alejandro Ortiz Pizzoglio
5.1. Best practices in governance.
5.2. Global industry standard on Tailings management.
5.3. Regulatory framework.
5.4. Governance structures and roles and responsabilities.
5.5. Environmental aspects and regulations.
5.6. Stakeholder engagement and communication.