International Tailings Management Institute Established to Enhance Safety of Toxic Waste Reservoirs
Following the tragic Brumadinho dam collapse in 2019, the Global Tailings Management Institute (GTMI) was launched to oversee independent audits and certify the safety of tailings facilities. Co-founded by the International Council on Mining and Metals, the United Nations Environment Programme, and the Principles for Responsible Investment, the GTMI will operate from Johannesburg.
The institute aims to prevent future disasters by implementing the Global Industry Standard on Tailings Management, developed after the Brumadinho incident. It will evaluate and certify tailings dams based on their safety protocols and public transparency.
"The Brumadinho disaster was a stark wake-up call, highlighting the need for improved tailings management," said Aidan Davy, Co-Chief Operating Officer of ICMM. "The GTMI is positioned in a country with both mining operations and a strong regulatory framework."
Tailings dam failures have resulted in significant loss of life, property damage, and environmental degradation worldwide. In 2022, a dam burst at the Jagersfontein diamond mine in South Africa, displacing hundreds of families.
"Recognizing the importance of strong tailings management, investors are engaging with the GTMI," said Adam Matthews, Chief Responsible Investment Officer at the Church of England Pensions Board. "We anticipate that the institute will collaborate with publicly listed companies seeking certification."
In the coming months, the GTMI will establish a board of directors representing investors, the mining industry, regulatory authorities, and environmental experts. Independent auditors will be trained and appointed to assess and certify tailings dams.