Rethinking OEMs’ Role In Tailings Management
Published by Jane Bentham,
Editorial Assistant
Global Mining Review,
Following the catastrophic dam collapse at Vale’s Corrego de Feijao mine in Brumadinho, the Global Industry Standard of Tailings Management (GISTM) was developed to enhance the safety and strengthen the governance of tailings facilities across the globe.
The GISTM sets a precedent for the safe management of tailings facilities, towards the goal of zero harm.
The GISTM outlines some important requirements to ensure all elements of the knowledge base – social, environmental, local economic, and technical – are used for informed decisions throughout the tailings facility lifecycle:
- For new tailings facilities, the operator shall use the knowledge base and undertake a multi-criteria alternatives analysis of all feasible sites, technologies, and strategies for tailings management. The goal of this analysis shall be to: (i) select an alternative that minimises risks to people and the environment throughout the tailings facility lifecycle; and (ii) minimise the volume of tailings and water placed in external tailings facilities.
- For existing tailings facilities, the operator shall periodically review and refine the tailings technologies and design, and management strategies to minimise risk and improve environmental outcomes.
OEMs have a vital role to play in developing and delivering these technologies, as well as helping miners determine the ideal strategies and solutions based on their unique requirements.
The Global Tailings Review estimates that 12.7 billion t of tailings are produced every year, making it the largest waste stream in the world. The trend towards mass electrification, coupled with declining ore grades, means the amount of tailings – as well as the capacity to process and store them safely and sustainably – is only going to increase in the future.
Every operation has to contend with different climatic, topological, and geological conditions, as well as the processing of the ore, all of which influence the nature of the tailings and the possible solutions. This means there cannot be a one-size-fits-all approach.
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Read the article online at: https://www.globalminingreview.com/handling-processing/15122023/rethinking-oems-role-in-tailings-management/
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