What is BS EN 16907‑7 about?  
BS EN 16907‑7 is a European standard that discusses earthworks.
BS EN 16907‑7 gives recommendations for the hydraulic placement of extractive wastes. The scope of BS EN 16907‑7 includes all aspects of a dam, confining embankment, or other structure serving to contain, retain, confine or otherwise support such wastes on surface in a terrestrial environment.
BS EN 16907‑7 addresses the characterization of the extractive waste for the purposes of hydraulic placement in the mine waste facilities (MWF), both as part of the confining embankment and for safe storage.
BS EN 16907‑7 includes all aspects of a dam, confining embankment or other structure serving to contain, retain, confine or otherwise support such wastes on the surface in a terrestrial environment.
Note 1: BS EN 16907‑7 does not define, establish or specify detailed elements of the design of a hydraulic fill project but provides overall recommendations in order to comply with good regulatory and engineering practice.
Note 2: BS EN 16907‑7 does not consider the design of earth structures in terms of safety and serviceability. This document assumes that the earth structures have been properly designed.
Note 3: BS EN 16907‑7 is not applicable to landfill, dredging or the hydraulic filling aspects related to grouting.
Note 4: BS EN 16907‑7 recognizes that similar techniques may be applicable to the hydraulic placement of materials in the non-extractive industries where no other European guidance exists.
Who is BS EN 16907‑7 for?
BS EN 16907‑7 on earthworks may be applicable to the following:
- All stakeholders engaged in the deposition of extractive wastes using hydraulic placement techniques with respect to geotechnical and geochemical aspects of the investigation, engineering design, construction and operation of a mine waste facility and all associated monitoring activities
- Those extractive industries involving the production of fine particulate wastes which, in the course of industrial processing, require to be stored in a safe, stable and environmentally acceptable location
- Practitioners in non-extractive industries in fields where similar techniques may be applicable and for which no other European guidance exists
Why should you use BS EN 16907‑7? 
The main purpose of earthworks is for the removal of overburden to gain access to structurally capable earth or soil, excavation for basements and other underground structures, and the development of structural fills to support floors are all required for most buildings.
BS EN 16907‑7 recommends:
- Minimum requirements for the data to be acquired before the design and execution stage of a hydraulic fill project
- Guidelines for the selection of the type of confining embankment appropriate for the selected site
- Guidelines for the selection and characterization of the construction materials
- General principles on the design and execution of the hydraulic fill project from pre-deposition through operation to closure and rehabilitation
- Guidelines for monitoring and quality control of all stages of the hydraulic fill project to ensure long-term safety and stability
All of these recommendations by BS EN 16907‑7 can help you ensure long-term safety and stability for the hydraulic placement of extractive wastes. Meeting the design guidelines can provide a cost-effective and environmentally appropriate means of storing the waste and of recycling the process water. Moreover, BS EN 16907‑7 provides safe and stable storage of the waste such that at closure the mine facility achieves long-term geotechnical and geochemical stability.
