GLOBAL NEWS •
Global news
Mines are learning to take a longer term view of TSF compliance – from design and construction through to closure – and this is enabling a more costeffective and multi-disciplinary workflow over time .
Real time technology On the positive side , digital technology was facilitating a rapid move towards near real time monitoring of TSFs . This is an important source of information for better understanding the performance of each TSF and its risk profile ; modern equipment and instrumentation is allowing monitoring systems to populate datasets that support the GISTM ’ s monitoring and surveillance requirements .
It is now possible to monitor the changing risk in near real time against the performance baseline . There has been a shift from manual , single-point data collection to high-frequency big data platforms – which provides an opportunity to examine micro-trends and the inter-relationships between the metrics that govern TSF safety and other conformance aspects .
Blue-chip mining companies are moving actively towards implementing real time monitoring systems , which will help TSF owners , operators and engineers of record ( EORs ) to monitor and manage TSF risk more effectively .
The knowledge base has also emerged as a vital focus for closure aspects of GISTM compliance . SRK has noted that there are often gaps in mine closure knowledge bases , where assumptions must be relied upon instead of evidence . This of course undermines the confidence in the closure design itself .
The information deficit often applies to physical and chemical characteristics of the tailings material , the cover requirements and stability aspects . It is recommended that the necessary data be gathered and analysed regularly through the mine lifecycle , ensuring that the funds are more readily available . As mines reach closure phase , the financial conditions often become more constrained .
Flood risks The introduction of the GISTM has brought a change in design criteria – particularly around water management . In South Africa , for example , closure plans consider a 1-in-100-year flood event , in line with local legislation ; there is now a move toward a probable maximum flood consideration , which implies significantly more rainfall over a defined period .
From a technical engineering perspective , the more stringent demands of the GISTM are clearly raising the cost of TSF design , construction and management . Mines sometimes look to reduce upfront capital costs by cutting out certain aspects of work that is now becoming essential for GISTM compliance .
SRK has found that a more useful way of approaching this challenge is to generate a master plan for the life of the TSF . This creates the opportunity for mines to make provision for an annual investment in TSF safety , ensuring that the cost is manageable in terms of the expected result .
Long term view Mines are learning to take a longer term view of TSF compliance – from design and construction through to closure – and this is enabling a more cost-effective and multi-disciplinary workflow over time . This allows mines to strategically optimise their capital costs by having clear deliverables in place . In the past , mines have worked with consultants and contractors with a short-term view – whereas this probably needs to be considered as a medium-term to longterm view that encompasses the full range of disciplines required to meet the new global standard .
A key cross-cutting element in various aspects of the GISTM is clearly the management of surface and groundwater , including the geotechnical work that must consider how water content affects stability . There is also a water stewardship angle to be considered , which focuses on water quality and access in the broader river catchment .
While these elements of the GISTM are yet to be fully explored in projects in our region , mines are cognisant that a holistic approach to water management is required . They are looking at strategic approaches to managing their impacts on the hydrological cycle , aligned with the water stewardship approach .
TSFs are often located in low-lying areas , which are susceptible to variable rainfall patterns associated with climate change . With the lifespan of TSFs expected to withstand weather conditions over hundreds of years , planners will need to consider water stewardship to mitigate the implications of changing surface water run-off and water quality impacts .
There is much about the GISTM which is not new to the mining sector , but which requires constant , integration , innovation and improvement . The expertise in the sector to do this is often stretched , but there has been clear progress made across many disciplines . •
www . africanmining . co . za African Mining Publication African Mining African Mining • February 2025 • 11