GLOBAL NEWS •
SOUTH AFRICA :
WHAT MINING IS LEARNING AS IT CONTINUES TO COMPLY WITH GISTM
Global news
All images supplied SRK Consulting
The GISTM has brought a more integrated approach to the design , construction , operation and closure planning of tailings storage facilities .
By Franciska Lake , Philippa Burmeister , James Lake – partners and principal environmental scientists ; Lindsay Shand , partner and principal environmental geologist ; James Dutchman , associate partner and principal engineering geologist ; Kavandren Moodley , principal environmental scientist ; Andries Fourie , principal technologist in Disaster and Risk Management and Mondli Mazibuko , senior civil and tailings engineer – at SRK Consulting
It has been just over four years since the Global Industry Standard on Tailings Management ( GISTM ) was launched , and much is being learnt as mining companies and professional experts continue to maintain compliance .
The GISTM has brought a more integrated approach to the design , construction , operation and closure planning of tailings storage facilities ( TSFs ). This has meant 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 .
Integration There was initially the need to raise awareness about the high level of integration required between the ESG aspects and the traditional , technical aspects of tailings management . The importance of trust and understanding between the mine and project-affected people also needed to be emphasised . Building cooperative relationships between mines and their stakeholders remains a continuous challenge but has been a crucial ingredient in meeting GISTM standards .
There are also still potential misalignments 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 . 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 requires collaboration between regulators , the mine and other stakeholders .
People at risk Significant work and innovation have been dedicated in recent years to helping mines effectively comply with the GISTM . One of the key lessons learned from this process is the critical importance of ongoing engagement and relationship building with projectaffected people throughout the lifecycle of a TSF . This approach fosters an environment where meaningful dialogue can take place around decisions that impact project-affected people , including the risks and potential consequences of a TSF failure .
SRK has observed that mines can significantly enhance their engagement and communication efforts when they have a well-established and effective stakeholder engagement plan in place . In contrast , strained communication with project-affected people makes it more difficult to deliver critical messages , often delaying the implementation of GISTM requirements . This in turn heightens the risk for people in the inundation zone , who are often the most vulnerable .
The basis for identifying which people are particularly at risk is determining the inundation zone , which the GISTM requires to be accurately modelled . This forms a key component of the Emergency Preparedness and Response Plan ( EPRP ), which is also a GISTM requirement . Good communication channels need to be in place , she said , to allow not only for messaging from the mines on the risks associated with TSFs , but to clearly and effectively communicate during emergency situations .
Emergency capability A further critical area of the GISTM relates to emergency preparedness and response , which requires mines to plan in detail for disaster scenarios arising from TSF failure . This process involves engaging other stakeholders in the required EPRP . One of the challenges that mines in countries like South Africa face is that capacity in the field of emergency response can be limited . The GISTM requires mines to consult with government and to obtain a commitment to be part of this planned response .
This means that mines must gauge the stakeholders ’ capacity to contribute ; given the lack of resources in certain areas , local mines have had to look elsewhere for partners in securing the necessary support in the case of an emergency . Instead , industry agencies like Mine Rescue Services South Africa have been able to provide that response capacity .
www . africanmining . co . za African Mining Publication African Mining African Mining • February 2025 • 9