328 Early experimental evaluation of these technologies helps reduce technical uncertainty, optimize the selection of grouting materials, and minimize rework during construction, thereby contributing to a more efficient and safer execution of critical mining infrastructure. However, further field validation is required to confirm long-term performance under in-situ conditions. KEYWORDS Grout curtain; acrylic resins; colloidal silica; tailings dam; gel time; Lugeon; responsible mining. 1. INTRODUCTION The growing global demand for minerals requires the development of mining infrastructure that can be designed and constructed in a faster, smarter, and more responsible manner. In this context, tailings dams represent one of the most critical components of the mining value chain, due to their direct impact on operational and environmental safety. Seepage control in the foundation of these structures is a key aspect in ensuring their long-term stability. Traditionally, this objective is addressed through the construction of grout curtains based on cementitious grouting, including high-penetrability microcements. However, in highly fractured rock masses or in the presence of fine discontinuities, these solutions may reach their technical limits. Under these conditions, it becomes necessary to evaluate alternative grouting technologies capable of sealing smaller-aperture fractures while maintaining safety, durability, and environmental responsibility criteria. Among these alternatives are acrylate-based resins and colloidal silica solutions, which exhibit significantly lower viscosities than conventional cementitious grouts. 2. PROJECT CONTEXT AND IDENTIFIED ISSUES The evaluation is framed within a grout curtain construction project associated with a large-scale tailings dam linked to a copper mining operation located in southern Peru. The curtain is executed from a plinth approximately 1.20 to 1.50 m thick, founded on a rock mass composed of a sequence of gneiss and granite, moderately weathered in the upper levels. The first 15 m of depth exhibit a discontinuity system with diverse orientations, variable apertures, and heterogeneous infill materials. Despite the execution of the grouting lines defined in the design, Lugeon permeability tests showed values exceeding the designer’s target criteria, which establish a hydraulic conductivity equal to or lower than 1 Lugeon Unit (≤ 1 × 10⁻⁵ cm/s). These results suggest that, in certain zones, microcement grout is unable to fully penetrate and seal the finest fractures, making it necessary to evaluate lower-viscosity products with higher penetration capacity. 3. OBJECTIVE OF THE STUDY The main objective of this study is to experimentally evaluate, at laboratory scale, the rheological behavior and gelation characteristics of acrylamide-based resins, acrylates, and colloidal silica solutions as high-penetrability alternatives for seepage control in fractured rock masses where cementitious grouts present limitations.
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