Rio Tinto has released detailed information on 14 of its global tailings facilities and their progress towards compliance with the Global Industry Standard on Tailings Management (GISTM).
These tailings facilities are classified as Very High or Extreme under GISTM classifications, depending on the highest potential consequences in the unlikely case of a failure.
Rio Tinto Chief Technology Officer Mark Davies said since the failure of the Brumadinho tailings facility in Brazil in 2009, the entire industry has been trying to enhance how tailings facilities are managed.
“Responsible tailings management is critical to ensure the safety of our people and communities and to protect the environment. It is fundamental for our business and social license. We have made considerable progress since August 2020 towards conformance with the GISTM. We have completed most of the work and have detailed plans to complete outstanding items,” Davies stated.
“GISTM has meant a step change in how the industry manages its tailings facilities. Good tailings management is also about transparent partnership, and we have been working with the local communities near our facilities to increase awareness of our management practices and how we can best work together to continue to keep people and the environment safe from harm,” he added.
