March 11-13, 2026
March 11-13, 2026

Invitation

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.

Important Dates

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

Article Format Submit Article

Technical Topics

SITE AND TAILINGS CHARACTERIZATION AND INSTRUMENTATION.

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.

TAILINGS STORAGE FACILITIES.

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.

RISK ASSESSMENT AND ANALYSIS.

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.

ANALYSIS AND DESIGN OF TAILINGS STORAGE FACILITIES.

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.

GOVERNANCE AND REGULATORY FRAMEWORK.

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.

Keynote Speakers

Supporting Organizations

Association of Civil Mining and Metallurgical Engineers of Mexico A.C., 2nd International Symposium on Tailings Deposits
UNAM Engineering Institute, 2nd International Symposium on Tailings Deposits
TC 221, 2nd International Symposium on Tailings Deposits
SIMSG-ISSMGE, 2nd International Symposium on Tailings Deposits

Institutional Members

Liebherr, 2do Simposio Internacional Sobre Depósitos de Jales
Maccaferri, 2do Simposio Internacional Sobre Depósitos de Jales
Keller, 2do Simposio Internacional Sobre Depósitos de Jales
GERDAU, 2do Simposio Internacional Sobre Depósitos de Jales
Grupo Sandstorm, 2do Simposio Internacional Sobre Depósitos de Jales
BERMA, 2do Simposio Internacional Sobre Depósitos de Jales
AMANCO WAVIN, 2do Simposio Internacional Sobre Depósitos de Jales
MIDAS, 2do Simposio Internacional Sobre Depósitos de Jales
MENARD, 2do Simposio Internacional Sobre Depósitos de Jales
SOLUCIONES GEOTECNICAS INTEGRALES, 2do Simposio Internacional Sobre Depósitos de Jales
GEO RED, 2do Simposio Internacional Sobre Depósitos de Jales
PICOSA, 2do Simposio Internacional Sobre Depósitos de Jales
PILOTEC, 2do Simposio Internacional Sobre Depósitos de Jales
HENDEK Cimentaciones, 2do Simposio Internacional Sobre Depósitos de Jales
INGEOTEC, 2do Simposio Internacional Sobre Depósitos de Jales
ICOPRES, 2do Simposio Internacional Sobre Depósitos de Jales
GEOPERFORA DEL GOLFO, 2do Simposio Internacional Sobre Depósitos de Jales
Instituto de Ingeniería UNAM, 2do Simposio Internacional Sobre Depósitos de Jales
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