Developing new framework to achieve better tailings dams’ governance and management
Ensuring current guidelines for tailings dams are implemented and conformed to by clients is an important undertaking. In this article we hear from principal geotechnical engineer Keith Mandisodza at Cartledge Mining and Geotechnics on why developing new frameworks is essential to achieving better governance and management.
With a focus on tailings dams and the risks associated with them leading to failure, Keith has been working to bridge the gap between the Global Industry Standard on Tailings Management’s (GISTM) requirements and existing company policies and systems by helping operators get processes in place that promote compliance with the Standard.
“What we have found is most of the operators or the clients we are servicing, don't have most of the documentation that's required to meet the criteria that is set by the Standard,” he said.
“It’s not a feat that can be achieved overnight, but we are focusing on helping all mining stakeholders have a higher degree of involvement with tailings facilities and the requirements needed to manage their facilities effectively, so they'll be able to comply with the Standard’s guidelines.
“We are also trying to update clients on the changes that are happening in terms of tailings guidelines and requirements, especially for Australia.”
Keith is a member of Australian National Committee on Large Dams (ANCOLD), the Canadian Dam Association, and is part of a working group with the Initiative for Responsible Mining Assurance (IRMA).
“The IRMA’s Chapter 4.1 on Mine Waste and Materials Management was developed through an expert working group consisting of mining industry representatives, the Mining Association of Canada, which has its own Tailings Management Protocol, and technical experts representing civil society interests,” Keith said.
“One of the goals of this working group is to discuss the potential alignment between the IRMA Standard for Responsible Mining (IRMA Standard) and the GISTM.
“IRMA aims to produce a best-practice standard and is committed to revising its requirements over time to be consistent with internationally agreed best practices. It's another initiative trying to develop a standard to manage tailings dams’ management and governance.”
As a part of his PhD studies, Keith is investigating and hoping to develop a new framework of how-to best design tailings dams and risk assessment.
“I think during my experience working with tailings in different parts of the world, we need to have one system that guides the industry on how to manage tailings and how the governance should be applied rather than several guidelines being used in a blended approach,” he said.
“So, it’s about how we can best analyse uncertainties associated with the input parameters, the model processing and the human element involved in the design process to best manage tailings.
“Because at the moment there are tendencies to use guidelines that are favourable to site-specific conditions. That leaves a lot of loose ends in terms of the subjectiveness that goes into picking up what's suitable for a design. Because it's not uniformed to adopt a blanket design for all facilities.”
However, Keith stressed a major issue being echoed across the industry was the need for a national and global commitment to education and training more focused on tailings engineering.
“There is a genuine concern that there are not enough trained tailings engineers to meet the Standard’s requirements set out by GISTM here in Australia and more so globally,” he said.
“We need a national approach to supporting engineers with the necessary research and practical expertise to continue the upward trajectory of tailings engineering in Australia.
“We don't have many upcoming engineers taking up the baton or students registering as geotechnical engineers or mining engineers. Also, because we have a shortage of skills, passing on some of the lessons we have learnt along with our experiences or careers becomes very difficult.
“There is already quite a gap developing between the “grey hairs” going out of the industry and new people coming in.”
But if that gap can be filled, Keith believes the future is bright for the tailings industry.
“With the pushing of the ESG agenda, there is going to be a shift of focus into how we are best managing our tailings facilities in terms of required or expected sustainability goals,” he said.
“There will be a need for high-skill requirements for tailings engineers to manage the high inherent failure risk with tailings dams when compared to water dams.
“Also, there is going to be a drive from investor groups funding mining, wanting to see elevated strategies for risk management to fund projects.”
Tailings dams are complex structures and while they require a high-level of risk management and ongoing monitoring, the future need for development, training and upskilling of engineers must not be ignored.
Keith said this, as well as the development of a new overarching framework of how-to best design tailings dams, was vital to ensure the future demands of the dams were met when it came to governance, safety and compliance.
