The UNEP/GRID Arendal report Mine Tailings Storage: Safety is No Accident was fortunately very timely. The report combined with the recent tailings dam disaster in Brazil, helped focus attention on the urgent need for mine safety reform. Since the report’s release in 2017, some of the recommendations made by the 17 experts involved, are being implemented. UNEP, ICMM and PRI announced they will undertake a major independent review to establish an international standard on tailings storage facilities. This announcement follows on from a multi-stakeholder forum organised by UNEP, GRID-Arendal and CIRDI. The forum meeting was the first in a planned series of meetings aimed at progressing the recommendations in the 2017 report, including ensuring that an international standard on tailings storage is developed and universally implemented. We are making progress!

Tags: industry mining tailings dam waste