As tailings governance evolves from a regulatory expectation into a core pillar of corporate sustainability, mining companies are increasingly turning to Independent Tailings Review Boards (ITRBs)—not just as a Global Industry Standard on Tailings Management (GISTM) compliance mechanism, but also as a strategic tool for better technical decision-making and risk management. The value of an ITRB lies in how the board operates within the framework of the mine operation.
The ITRB model works best when the board functions as an advisor, not an auditor. At its core, effective technical review is a relationship-driven process—one built on trust, transparency, and respect for roles and expertise. The experience of AngloGold Ashanti (AGA) ITRB in Brazil illustrates how this approach works in practice.
Over three years of engagement, the ITRB for AGA Brazil—composed of representatives from SRK’s Vancouver, Argentina, and Brazil offices—has developed close working relationships with site technical teams and with the Engineer of Record. These relationships do not compromise objectivity; on the contrary, they enhance the board’s ability to support the teams. When those most familiar with the challenges are empowered to share their work openly, the ITRB can provide real value: identifying overlooked conditions, testing and validating assumptions, and flagging concerns in a constructive manner. Continuity is key.
This approach has led to meaningful results across AGA’s Brazilian facilities. The ITRB has supported dam de-risking efforts and stability enhancement for legacy tailings facilities, as well as filtered tailings implementation for new facilities. In some cases, the board has guided more rigorous evaluations of failure modes and loading conditions that extended beyond local legislative requirements, materially improving risk understanding and mitigation.
Jurisdictions around the world are increasingly aligning with frameworks like the GISTM and Towards Sustainable Mining. But standards alone do not deliver results. How companies integrate independent review into their governance structures is critical: through mutual respect, technical engagement, and consistent dialogue.
In Brazil, where the memory of recent dam failures continues to shape public trust, this ITRB model is proving its worth. But the lessons apply globally: sustainable tailings management depends not just on good engineering, but on good process, robust governance, and respectful engagement.
