The tragic tailings dam breach in Brazil that killed more than 270 people has focused the world of mining on making tailings dams safe.
Earlier this year, and environmental organisation Grid-Arendal launched the world’s first publicly accessible global database of mine tailings storage facilities with support from the United Nations Environment Programme.
Safer tailings storage facilities can be achieved when min owners, contractors and engineering consultants work closely together, said SRK Consulting senior geotechnical engineer Linda Spies after a recent Southern African Institute of Mining and Metallurgy conference focusing on tailings dams.
