OceanaGold Didipio Tailings Storage Facility assurance monitoring optimisation
At a glance
We partnered with OceanaGold Philippines, Inc. to design and deliver an assurance monitoring solution at its Didipio mine Tailings Storage Facility (TSF). Working closely with the site team, we introduced enhancements and a prescribed data collection approach, aligned to the design assumptions, to deliver an automated solution using GHD’s assurance monitoring platform, InsightVision.
By integrating existing and new geotechnical instrumentation with a variety of communication protocols, including satellite-enabled telemetry, we created improved and near-real-time visibility of dam performance. The result is a connected monitoring solution that supports faster, more informed decisions in a remote and complex environment.
The challenge
At the Didipio mine, OceanaGold needed a more reliable way to understand how its TSF was performing over time. As operations evolved and expectations around dam safety increased, existing monitoring approaches had to be adapted to meet changing operational and regulatory requirements.
The instrumentation network provided useful data, yet it relied heavily on legacy systems and manual collection. Data was not always captured frequently enough and visibility across the facility remained limited. Manual validation and data stewardship also required significant effort. This made it harder to detect early signs of change and reduced confidence in interpreting conditions.
The site required a solution that could provide consistent, high-quality data aligned with the facility design. It also needed to connect existing instruments with new technologies, operate reliably in a remote location and function through heavy weather events. Access to data without relying on site visits was equally important.
The objective was to move from periodic, manual monitoring towards a continuous and proactive approach supported by timely and trusted information.
Our response
Drawing on engineering judgement and an understanding of the site’s design principles, our team developed an integrated monitoring solution tailored to Didipio’s needs using our InsightVision platform. The solution combined existing instrumentation, configured in close collaboration with the Didipio team to align with the design and behaviour of the facility. InsightVision brings together data from multiple sources into one clear view, capturing and validating information before presenting it in a structured format.
A key part of the approach focused on strengthening existing infrastructure while expanding monitoring capability where needed. We connected 28 existing vibrating wire piezometers to the automated network and installed additional borehole instruments in critical locations. We also introduced deformation monitoring instruments using GNSS to track ground movement across the facility. Together, these inputs now form a single, unified dataset that reflects how the TSF is performing.
Given the remote setting, reliable data transmission shaped the system design. We implemented satellite-enabled telemetry supported by low-power dataloggers using solar and battery configurations. This enabled consistent data transfer regardless of local infrastructure and reduced the need for frequent site access. Stakeholders can view information through a web-based platform, giving them visibility wherever they are and whenever they need it.
We also managed installation, calibration and system configuration to support long-term reliability. Data capture intervals were defined to match operational needs, and all instrumentation was documented to provide traceability across the network. Once in place, InsightVision was tested to confirm both data quality and site data performance. The result is a monitoring solution designed to operate reliably in a demanding environment while remaining efficient to use and maintain.
The impact
The new monitoring approach has strengthened the management of the Didipio TSF by providing greater visibility into its performance. The site team now has access to continuous, validated data from across the facility, aligned with the engineering design and presented in a way that supports informed interpretation.
Previously, data collection relied on manual processes and periodic review, which could limit visibility between monitoring intervals. With the automated system in place, data is captured consistently and validated within the platform before use. Engineers can now see how the facility is behaving in near real time and respond with greater confidence.
The shift has also reduced reliance on frequent site access for routine data collection. By automating much of the monitoring process, resources can be directed more effectively towards data analysis, condition assessment, and decision-making, while streamlining monitoring activities across the facility.
The platform also provides a stronger foundation for future monitoring. By bringing instrumentation, telemetry and digital access together, the site has adopted a more connected and data-driven approach. InsightVision can expand as requirements change, whether through additional instruments or integration with broader operational systems. This flexibility supports ongoing confidence in tailings monitoring and helps the team respond to future challenges with clear, reliable information.