Safer tailings storage facilities (TSFs) or tailings dams can be achieved when mine owners, contractors and engineering consultants work closely together, says Linda Spies, Senior Geotechnical Engineer at SRK Consulting.
Speaking after a recent Southern African Institute of Mining and Metallurgy (SAIMM) conference focusing on tailings dams, Linda mentioned that mining executives need greater assurance that their tailings dams are safe and with controls becoming much stricter. There is also an emphasis for transparency by investors and communities.
Greater transparency is also being demanded by other stakeholders such as investors and communities.
