Landform Design: An Online Course

Launching in April 2027, the Landform Design Online course provides professionals with the knowledge, frameworks, and practical experience to incorporate landform design throughout the mining lifecycle. If you are a professional in mining, mine planning, closure, reclamation, tailings, geotechnical engineering, hydrology, geochemistry, environmental management, and community and Indigenous engagement or purely interested in learning more about the fundamentals of landform design this course is for you!

This flexible multi-module online course offering allows participants to tailor their learning to their professional interests and responsibilities. Whether you are new to landform design or looking to strengthen your existing closure and reclamation practice, the course provides practical guidance and tools that can be applied directly to your work.

Upon completion of the Landform Design Course modules, students will:

understand the principles of landform design and the holistic approach it uses in mining landform design, construction, operation, and closure,
have experience and expertise in working collaboratively with other practitioners in the context of landform design,
be familiar with the range of natural sciences, engineering disciplines, and social sciences required for successful landform design, such that they understand the key drivers of each ‘ology’,
understand and be able to identify key considerations and design drivers for typical mining landforms (i.e., tailings facilities, open pits, and waste rock facilities), and
be able to contribute their technical expertise to a landform design project anywhere in the world.

Details of the Course

Module 1: Landform Design Fundamentals

Build a strong foundation in the principles and practice of landform design.

Participants will explore the 12 Principles of Landform Design, the evolution and current state of mine closure and reclamation, and how landform design differs from traditional closure planning approaches. The module examines natural and human-induced landform processes, including geomorphic, hydrologic, and ecological processes, and how mining activities influence landscape evolution.

Participants will also explore co-reclamation and meaningful engagement with communities and Indigenous peoples, recognizing the importance of collaboration throughout the mining lifecycle. Through multidisciplinary teamwork and practical exercises, participants will learn how to develop a landform design vision, establish goals, understand the design lifecycle, and apply landform design principles to a real-world wetland project.

Module 2: Designing Landforms

A strong design begins with a strong design basis.

This module introduces the Design Basis Memorandum (DBM) and its role in guiding landform design decisions throughout a project lifecycle. Participants will learn how to distinguish between project vision, goals, objectives, and design criteria—and how these elements work together to establish a clear foundation for design.

Through hands-on development of a DBM, participants will build project background, develop a vision, and compile a Master Table of Goals, Objectives, and Design Criteria. The module also explores how to implement and maintain the DBM as a living tool throughout the project as well as exploring different design processes, tools, and approaches.

Module 3: Landform Design for Tailings Storage Facilities

Apply landform design principles to one of mining’s most significant closure challenges.

Participants will examine the technical, operational, environmental, social, and regulatory factors that influence tailings landform design. Topics include geotechnical engineering, geochemistry, hydrology, groundwater, hydrotechnical considerations, tailings technologies, mine planning, closure, capping, water management, and risk reduction.

The module also explores community considerations, regulatory requirements, industry standards, perpetual care, and dam de-licensing.

This module concludes with a tailings storage facility case study, where participants apply landform design principles, identify key risks and trade-offs, integrate multidisciplinary inputs, and develop and communicate a conceptual landform design that supports long-term closure objectives.

Learn the principles. Build the design basis. Apply the practice.

Registration for Module 1 is coming soon. Please stay tuned. If you haven’t already, sign up for our mailing list so we can let you know when it opens.

Developing a Design Basis Memorandum:
An Online Course

The Landform Design Institute is pleased to offer a new online “short course” on the development of a design basis memorandum (DBM) for landform design and closure planning. The course features eight video lectures recorded by the Institute’s founder, Dr. Gord McKenna, that explain how to prepare to write the DBM, how to craft the DBM vision, and how to implement the DBM.

The course provides direction on creating a design team that develops a vision and a Master Table of goals, objectives, and criteria to implement the vision. The course sets out instructions on the governance of the design process, including collaboration with Indigenous Peoples and local communities. Students complete three exercises that will be evaluated by a landform design expert and receive a DBM certificate upon completion.

The course fee is $399 for non-members of the Institute. Members enjoy a 20% discount which makes the cost $319 for each student or individual member, or individuals employed by a corporate member. Registrants can take advantage of the discount by registering as LDI members for $90 as individual members or $10 for students.

To register, visit our online education portal.

Landform design is an interdisciplinary approach used to create mining landscapes and meet specific land-use goals and performance standards. Developed in the 1990s, it addresses the issue that reclaimed mining lands were rarely approved despite efforts from various stakeholders. A key concern was the misalignment of expectations between mining companies, regulators, and local communities regarding the reclaimed lands’ design, construction, and performance. The DBM helps alleviate this shortcoming by ensuring all stakeholders are working together toward shared goals and objectives.

Details of the Course: General Format

Each module is one lecture. You can watch as many times as you like.
Three modules have exercises. You can download the exercise templates from the website.
There are discussion options available for each module, as well as a community page where you can interact with other practitioners, including LDI members. The LDI has prepared a how-to report, which is suitably called “Developing a Design Basis Memorandum for Landform Design.” The format of the report mimics that of the course.
The presentation mentions submitting your exercises at the end of the course. You may do so by email or submit directly online as you complete the modules. Once we receive your exercise, a landform design practitioner will read it and provide high-level feedback within 14 days.
The refined-peach-gorilla.67-231-28-242.cpanel.site/ website provides a wealth of information and access to other publicly available references on DBMs. A lot of information on landform design on the website is available to the public, and even more to members. If you work for an LDI corporate member, ask us and we can provide you access to the members-only site.
Please contact Jasmine at the Institute if you have any questions about memberships, problems with the course logistics or website issues. We’re standing by to help.

Upon completion of the course, students will:

Understand the Purpose of a DBM
Define what a DBM is
Gain practical knowledge to create and implement a DBM
Receive a Course Completion Certificate

The recently released how-to guide for developing a DBM will be helpful throughout this course. Please take a moment to download your free copy here: Developing a Design Basis Memorandum for Landform Design.