The Global Industry Standard on Tailings Management (GISTM) has brought a more integrated perspective to the approach, construction, operation and closure of tailings storage facilities (TSFs) since its launch four years ago, according to international mining consultancy SRK Consulting partner and principal environmental scientist Franciska Lake.
This means that an even wider range of disciplines now need to engage collaboratively in projects that relate to TSFs, from environmental, social and governance (ESG) specialists, to practitioners in mine closure, climate change, hydrology, geochemistry, water stewardship and disaster management.
In this regard, it is also important to establish trust and understanding between the mine and project-affected people, emphasises SRK principal environmental scientist Kavandren Moodley.
Although the building of cooperative relationships between mines and their stakeholders remains a continuous challenge, he says it has been a crucial ingredient in meeting GISTM standards.
However, Moodley also warns about potential misalignment between local regulatory requirements and the GISTM.
“In building the environmental knowledge base that the GISTM requires, additional information is often needed beyond what local regulations, or historical legislative conditions, may have demanded,” he explains.
In many cases, mines have focused solely on their project development areas, paying limited attention to the broader risks of a tailings breach. Closing these gaps, Moodley advises, requires collaboration between regulators, the mine and other stakeholders.
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