In the complex world of mining, the management and safety of tailings storage facilities (TSFs) is paramount. Tailings, byproducts of mining processes, require meticulous oversight to prevent environmental damage and ensure the safety of communities and ecosystems.
This article explores five critical review mechanisms detailed in the ICMM Good Tailings Management Practice Guide and the GISTM Compliance Protocols, clarifying their unique roles, differences, and synergies in promoting a culture of safety and accountability in tailings management.
1. Independent review: The external auditor’s view
The Independent Review mechanism serves as an essential pillar in the tailings management governance structure. It provides an external and unbiased assessment of the design, operation and maintenance of a TSF.
Unlike internal audits or verifications, this process involves independent experts who assess compliance with standards, adequacy of design criteria, operational practices, risk management, and alignment with corporate sustainability goals.
Its comprehensive nature — from on-site inspections to documentation review — ensures that potential issues are identified and recommendations for improvement are provided, offering a critical external perspective on the safety and stability of tailings facilities.
2. Dam Safety Reviews (DSRs): Adapting Water Dam Practices
DSRs are based on practices developed for water dams, tailored to meet the specific needs of tailings dikes. This mechanism focuses on systematically assessing the safety of a facility in the face of possible failure modes, analyzing technical, operational, and governance aspects.
The independence of the engineer or review team plays a vital role in the credibility of the DSR, offering an assurance as to the safety status of the installation.
However, the methodology must be adapted to deal with the dynamic nature of tailings facilities and the complexities of their management.
3. Tailings Governance Reviews: Comprehensive Operational Oversight
Tailings Governance Reviews are designed to provide an in-depth analysis of the management practices, operating procedures and governance structures that underpin the safe storage of mining tailings.
By focusing on broader aspects of tailings management, these reviews promote continuous improvement and risk mitigation.
These include governance and accountability, the effectiveness of the Tailings Management System (TMS), operational practices, and emergency preparedness, among others.
4. Tailings Management System (TMS) Reviews: Ensuring System Effectiveness
The TMS review assesses its completeness and effectiveness in promoting safe tailings management. This includes accountability analysis, policy implementation, information management, and integration with the unit’s broader management systems.
These reviews identify deficiencies and opportunities for continuous improvement, ensuring that the TMS remains adequate throughout the entire lifecycle of the tailings facility.
5. Audits or verifications: The verification of compliance
Audits or verifications are systematic examinations aimed at assessing a facility’s compliance with established criteria, technical standards, and regulatory requirements.
They focus on design, construction, operation, maintenance, and monitoring practices, identifying areas of non-compliance or improvement to increase facility safety and operational efficiency.
This mechanism plays a crucial role in the proactive management of tailings by highlighting potential risks and ensuring adherence to best practices.
Integration of review mechanisms for tailings safety
While each review mechanism has its distinct role and focus, its integration forms a robust tailings safety oversight framework.
From the external perspective of Independent Reviews to the detailed operational focus of Tailings Governance Reviews, and the compliance assurance of Audits, these mechanisms work together to address different aspects of tailings management.
Implementing a multi-pronged approach ensures comprehensive oversight, increasing the safety and integrity of tailings facilities, and mitigating risks to human health, the environment, and corporate assets.
Tailings management is a complex but critical aspect of mining operations, requiring an integrated and multifaceted approach to ensure safety and environmental responsibility.
By utilizing these five review mechanisms, mining operators can effectively manage the risks associated with tailings storage, contributing to the continuous improvement of industry standards and practices.
Ensuring the safety and integrity of tailings facilities is not only a regulatory requirement, but a fundamental responsibility to communities, ecosystems and future generations.
