Managing water in unpredictable times with GITSM and Minetek’s water management solutions.

More than four years have passed since the tragic incident at the Brumadinho dam when a tailings dam at the Córrego do Feij?o iron ore mine experienced a catastrophic failure. This event resulted in the devastating loss of 270 lives and remains Brazil's most severe environmental and industrial catastrophe. This disaster marked a significant turning point for the global mining sector, serving as a stark reminder of the urgent need to address issues related to Tailings Storage Facilities (TSFs).

Of particular concern is the impact of climate change, specifically the growing frequency of intense rainfall events. Such events pose a formidable risk and pose a significant threat to the safety and stability of tailings facilities. A case in point is the heavy rainfall experienced in Australia last year, which shattered previous records.

In the Northern Hemisphere, it is an entirely different story. Last year ranked as one of the warmest in historical records, according to an analysis by scientists from NOAA's National Centres for Environmental Information (NCEI). The escalating temperatures and seasonal fluctuations introduce risks and complications to the mining sector. As temperatures rise, spring thaw events trigger freshets, melting snow and ice, resulting in excessive groundwater that can impact operations and hinder ongoing production.

When coupled with intense rainfall or extreme snowfall, the repercussions of freshets can be significantly amplified, potentially affecting infrastructure, roads, waste dumps, and TSFs. Consequently, infrastructure may deteriorate and give way, leading to considerable environmental and safety ramifications.

The unpredictability of weather patterns, largely fuelled by human-induced climate change, underscores the imperative for mining sites to be adequately prepared to prevent disasters like the one witnessed at the Brumadinho dam. In response to the disaster, organisations worldwide collaborated to establish what is now known as the Global Industry Standard on Tailings Management (GISTM) – the world’s first globally recognised framework for responsible tailings management.

In this article, we will explore these new regulations and how they can help manage water in unpredictable times, as well as how Minetek's innovative solutions can assist in safeguarding TSFs and mitigating the associated social, economic, and environmental costs.

What is the Global Industry Standard on Tailings Management (GISTM) framework??

The mining industry's response to recent tailings dam failures regarding guidelines and educational resources has been commendable. Over five years, the mining sector collaborated to dismantle information silos, making crucial knowledge accessible to a wider audience. One of the most significant developments during this time was the introduction of the GISTM framework.?

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The GISTM represents an important milestone towards the overarching goal of ensuring zero harm to both people and the environment in the context of tailings facilities. This framework was established through the joint efforts of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI), and the International Council on Mining and Metals (ICMM).?

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?Underpinned by an integrated approach to tailings management, the Standard aims to prevent catastrophic failures and enhance the safety of mine tailings facilities worldwide. It goes beyond existing guidance on tailings management by addressing important issues, including:?

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• Meaningful engagement with people affected by the project throughout the lifecycle of the mine tailing facility.?
• Improving human rights-related requirements.?
• Strengthening environmental protection measures, with attention to climate change impacts and restoration.?
• Applying a structured approach to risk classification for existing and planned facilities.?
• Establishing governance for facility management and defining responsibilities for standard implementation, including communication with the Board.?
• Ensuring transparency by disclosing information about mine tailing facilities to stakeholders.?

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The GISTM Standard comprises six key topic areas, 15 fundamental principles, and 77 auditable requirements. It is anticipated that the Standard will be further supported by implementation protocols, which will provide detailed guidance for certification or assurance as needed and facilitate equivalency assessments with other relevant standards.?

?Facilities classified as 'Extreme' or 'Very High' risk of failure were expected to align with the GISTM framework by August 2023, a deadline that has now passed. These facilities include TSF dams with substantial effluent storage, making them vulnerable to various risks, such as unexpected heavy rainfall or spring thaws that could lead to ruptures.?

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The repercussions of such a rupture can be severe, posing threats to human life, damaging surrounding infrastructure, contaminating water bodies, and causing long-term ecological harm. Therefore, expediting efforts to bring these facilities into compliance with the GISTM guidelines is essential.?

The consequences of such ruptures can be serious, posing risks to human safety, causing damage to nearby infrastructure, contaminating water bodies, and resulting in long-term ecological harm. Therefore, it is essential to prioritise efforts to bring these facilities into compliance with the GISTM guidelines.?

Strategies to secure TSFs and maintain compliance.

As we confront the challenges of unpredictable weather patterns and their impact on TSFs, it is essential to adopt strategies to ensure the security of TSFs, maintain compliance with GISTM guidelines, and mitigate potential risks of dam failure. Here are some measures to consider:?

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1. Ensuring appropriate design and construction standards: When designing and building tailings dams, it's essential to start by adhering to the correct engineering standards. This means paying attention to stability, the design of the surrounding landscape, safeguarding against slope issues and creating effective drainage systems.?

1. Following best practices for tailings management: After the construction phase, it's crucial to keep following best practices in tailings management to prevent potential problems. This includes using appropriate methods for disposing of tailings, installing liners, and using vegetation covers to reduce risks.?

1. Implementing a strict inspection regime: Regular inspections, including visual assessments, instrumentation monitoring, and geotechnical evaluations, are crucial to identifying potential issues or weaknesses in tailings dams.?

1. Developing emergency response plans: To prepare for the possibility of dam failures, it's important to have comprehensive emergency response plans in place. These plans should be regularly updated, covering various aspects like clear evacuation procedures, transparent community notifications, and effective water flow management to minimise downstream impacts.?

?While these measures are essential, it's crucial to recognise that even the most well-laid plans can falter when dealing with unpredictable weather. Heavy rainfall or sudden snowmelt can take you by surprise, increasing the burden on dams and the risk of failure. In such cases, more advanced solutions and measures may be necessary to ensure the safety and resilience of TSFs, including innovative technologies like Minetek's Water Evaporation System designed to remove excess water, reduce dam water levels, and ensure compliance with global standards.?

With over three decades of experience, Minetek specialises in delivering innovative Water Management Solutions to clients worldwide, making them well-equipped to assist mining companies in effectively managing water in these unpredictable times.?

Minetek's innovative water management solutions.

The Land-Based Evaporator provided by Minetek represents a cutting-edge solution uniquely engineered to address a broad range of water qualities with exceptional efficiency and sustainability. This innovative system harnesses principles rooted in fan engineering and airflow dynamics to offer a versatile and eco-friendly approach to wastewater management.?

One of its standout features is its ability to effectively evaporate water spanning a wide pH range, from highly acidic (with a pH level as low as 2.2) to highly alkaline (up to a pH level of 12). This flexibility allows it to handle diverse water sources, including those with challenging pH characteristics, such as acidic or caustic waters. Moreover, it can efficiently manage water containing high levels of Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) and Total Suspended Solids (TSS), making it well-suited for a variety of industrial applications.?

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The Land-Based Evaporator boasts an impressive capability to convert a significant portion of the input water into pure water vapour. Depending on the prevailing climatic conditions, these systems can potentially evaporate up to an impressive 50% of the spray volume, releasing it as clean and distilled water vapour. The remaining non-evaporated droplets are carefully directed back to the feed pond, ensuring minimal wastage and maximal resource utilisation.?

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?A key feature that underpins this system's durability and high-performance attributes is its utilisation of patented nozzles. These specially engineered nozzles are designed to efficiently process solids, including particles with diameters of up to 4.0mm. This robust construction ensures longevity and optimal performance even in the most demanding environments.?

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Minetek further extends its innovative solutions to include Floating/Pontoon-Based Evaporators. These floating systems offer the same remarkable capabilities as their land-based counterparts but are strategically designed to float on the surface of water bodies. This adaptability makes them suitable for various applications, including tailings ponds and other water reservoirs in mining operations.?

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Minetek's automated water management solutions are thoughtfully tailored to cater to the unique needs of various TSF applications. These solutions are highly versatile, making them suitable for deployment across various commodities and mining operations. Whether it's gold, copper, zinc, coal, cobalt, or oil sand mines, Minetek's systems can be adapted to improve water management and sustainability practices.?

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Beyond the pivotal roles these innovative solutions play in ensuring compliance with the GISTM framework and safeguarding the integrity of TSFs, their implementation offers a compelling economic advantage. Mining operations can substantially reduce overall operating costs, with potential savings reaching as high as 50%.?

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These systems provide the opportunity to downsize existing tailings or storage dams, streamlining operations and further contributing to significant cost reductions. In select cases where the systems prove exceptionally effective, there may even be opportunities to eliminate the need for constructing new dams altogether.?

Conclusion.

In these challenging times, the mining industry must embrace responsible tailings and water management practices, leverage cutting-edge solutions, and prioritise safety, environmental protection, and cost-efficiency. By doing so, it can navigate the uncertainties of unpredictable weather patterns while safeguarding the integrity of TSFs and mitigating associated risks.?