The adoption of the Global Industry Standard on Tailings Management (GISTM) is significantly shaping mine closure strategies in West Africa, says Roanne Sutcliffe, Environmental Engineering Principal from SRK Consulting South Africa.
While the GISTM has prompted mining companies to consider tailings storage facilities (TSFs) throughout their life cycles, the focus in the region has, historically, been on broader mine-wide closure, she explains.
The standard, which makes closure and post-closure management a priority from the outset, emphasises specific planning for TSFs, which can be considered as high-risk facilities.
"As the region increasingly adopts the GISTM, mining companies are incorporating long-term land use planning and rehabilitation into their closure strategies. This shift brings financial and technical implications, requiring investments in stable and secure TSFs that can endure long after the mine ceases operations," says Sutcliffe.
While the adoption of the GISTM is still catching up in West Africa compared to regions such as South Africa, the standard is nonetheless pushing for more proactive and sustainable closure strategies, says SRK Consulting Partner and Ghana Country Manager Ivan Doku.
However, challenges remain as many older mines in West Africa were often developed without detailed closure plans and, as such, aligning GISTM requirement with local regulatory frameworks is an ongoing process.
Some companies are exploring reprocessing old TSFs to turn a profit to help reduce closure costs; however, such decisions require careful economic and environmental assessment, he adds.
Regional Challenges
Mining companies in the region face several challenges when planning for mine closure, with Sutcliffe pointing to socioeconomic impacts as a critical concern in light of mining communities often depending heavily on mines for employment opportunities and economic upliftment.
Failure to establish alternative livelihoods for such vulnerable communities can lead to social and economic collapse after mine closure, she adds.
Sutcliffe emphasises that early engagement with stakeholders including regulators, local communities and nongovernmental organisations, is essential to build resilience and allow for a smoother transition to the post-mining phase.
