{"id":358,"date":"2025-05-15T15:51:43","date_gmt":"2025-05-15T18:51:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.gistm.ai\/en-us\/?p=358"},"modified":"2025-05-16T14:36:36","modified_gmt":"2025-05-16T18:36:36","slug":"gistm-icmm-the-5-review-mechanisms-for-tailings-safety","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.gistm.ai\/en-us\/gistm-icmm-the-5-review-mechanisms-for-tailings-safety\/","title":{"rendered":"GISTM \/ ICMM: The 5 Review Mechanisms for Tailings Safety"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

How a Multi-Layered Structure Strengthens Governance and Integrity in Tailings Facilities<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the complex world of mining, the safe management of tailings storage facilities (TSFs) is an absolute priority. More than just a byproduct of mineral activity, tailings require continuous monitoring and technical responsibility to prevent environmental impacts, protect communities, and ensure asset integrity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In this article, you will discover the five main review mechanisms recommended by the ICMM’s Good Practice Guide on Tailings Management and the GISTM Compliance Protocols\u2014fundamental pillars for a strong culture of safety and continuous improvement in mining.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Independent Review: The External Technical Perspective<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Independent Review is considered the backbone of tailings governance. It is a critical evaluation conducted by external experts with complete independence from operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This review assesses aspects such as:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \n
  • Compliance with technical and regulatory standards<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Design and operational criteria<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Maintenance and risk management practices<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Alignment with corporate sustainability objectives<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

    By offering an impartial and specialized perspective, Independent Review helps identify risks before they turn into failures, fostering safer and well-informed decisions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    2. DSRs \u2013 Dam Safety Reviews: Adapting Water Dam Experience<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    Dam Safety Reviews (DSRs) are inspired by best practices from hydraulic dams but adapted to the specific characteristics of tailings dams.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Their primary focus is to assess:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      \n
    • Potential failure modes<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • Structural, operational, and climatic conditions<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • Governance and emergency protocols<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

      The DSR must be conducted by a professional or team with technical autonomy and authority, ensuring a reliable assessment of the facility\u2019s safety status.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      3. Tailings Governance Review: A Comprehensive Assessment of the Management System<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

      This type of review focuses on the processes and structures that support tailings management, going beyond technical aspects to analyze the systemic functioning of the operation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      It covers topics such as:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        \n
      • Governance model and responsibilities<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      • Effectiveness of the Tailings Management System (TMS)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      • Operational procedures and decision-making processes<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      • Emergency preparedness and response<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

        Its goal is to strengthen internal governance, drive continuous improvement, and foster an organizational culture of safety responsibility.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        4. Tailings Management System (TMS) Review: The Heart of Compliance<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

        The TMS\u2014Tailings Management System\u2014is the central nervous system of tailings operations. Reviewing the TMS ensures that this system:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

          \n
        • Is complete and up to date<\/li>\n\n\n\n
        • Integrates different areas of the organization<\/li>\n\n\n\n
        • Promotes corrective and preventive actions<\/li>\n\n\n\n
        • Maintains traceability and control of information<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

          This review identifies bottlenecks, omissions, and opportunities for improvement, ensuring the system remains effective throughout the entire facility life cycle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

          5. Audits and Verifications: Ensuring Technical and Regulatory Compliance<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

          Audits and technical verifications are formal, systematic mechanisms to confirm whether the facility complies with:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

            \n
          • GISTM requirements and ICMM protocols<\/li>\n\n\n\n
          • Current technical and legal standards<\/li>\n\n\n\n
          • Internal control procedures<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

            Beyond identifying non-conformities, these verifications guide process improvements, help build robust audit trails, and reinforce the commitment to transparency.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

            How Do These Mechanisms Complement Each Other?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

            Although each mechanism has a distinct focus, together they form an integrated framework of technical and organizational oversight:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

              \n
            • Independent Review<\/strong> brings an external technical perspective.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
            • DSRs<\/strong> focus on dam structural integrity.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
            • Governance Review<\/strong> assesses the institutional and procedural environment.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
            • TMS Review<\/strong> ensures the robustness of the management system.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
            • Audits<\/strong> guarantee formal adherence to standards and requirements.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

              This multifaceted approach enhances prevention and response capacity, contributing to operational resilience and strengthening stakeholder trust.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

              Conclusion: Tailings Safety Requires Continuous Review and Integrated Commitment<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

              Tailings management is one of the biggest technical, social, and environmental challenges in modern mining.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

              By adopting the five review mechanisms recommended by GISTM and ICMM, companies position themselves as leaders in safety, transparency, and responsibility.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

              Beyond meeting regulatory requirements, implementing these reviews helps:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                \n
              • Protect communities and ecosystems<\/li>\n\n\n\n
              • Strengthen institutional reputation<\/li>\n\n\n\n
              • Ensure sustainable operational continuity<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

                How a Multi-Layered Structure Strengthens Governance and Integrity in Tailings Facilities In the complex world of mining, the safe management of tailings storage facilities (TSFs) is an absolute priority. More than just a byproduct of mineral activity, tailings require continuous monitoring and technical responsibility to prevent environmental impacts, protect communities, and ensure asset integrity. In […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":486,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[21],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-358","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-safety"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.gistm.ai\/en-us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/358","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.gistm.ai\/en-us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.gistm.ai\/en-us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.gistm.ai\/en-us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.gistm.ai\/en-us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=358"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/www.gistm.ai\/en-us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/358\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":569,"href":"https:\/\/www.gistm.ai\/en-us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/358\/revisions\/569"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.gistm.ai\/en-us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/486"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.gistm.ai\/en-us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=358"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.gistm.ai\/en-us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=358"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.gistm.ai\/en-us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=358"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}