A new task force has been commissioned by the Mining Association of Canada (MAC) tol review tailings management requirements, to tackle future tailings disasters.
Part of MAC’s ongoing review of its tailings management program, the multi-stakeholder task force will ensure tailings guides associated with MAC’s and its Towards Sustainable Mining (TSM) initiative are effective, to assess tailings facilities across the country.
The documents are designed to assess in preventing tailings dam failures and enhance design, construction and ongoing management of tailings storage facilities.
The team will also evaluate recommendations by an independent expert engineering investigation and review panel’s report issued in January this year.
The tailings management program was launched after an incident at Mount Polley mine in British Columbia last year.
MAC president and CEO Pierre Gratton said: "The Towards Sustainable Mining initiative, along with the mining industry’s prioritization of tailings management, has contributed to a strong record of the safe operation, management, closure and aftercare of tailings facilities in recent decades."
The task force’s final report is planned to be published by the end of this year.