Mining Review Africa hosts discussion on Tailings Storage Facilities

CAPE TOWN, South Africa - Feb. 4, 2020 - PRLog -- The controversial issue of Tailings Storage Facilities (TSF) construction and management following a spate of disasters over the last 24 months was unpacked during a breakfast discussion by leading mining services companies Fraser Alexander, Knight Piesold and Webber Wentzel on the sidelines of the annual Investing in Africa Mining Indaba event in Cape Town this week.

Hosted by leading, African-focused mining trade journal Mining Review Africa, the discussion focused on the importance of integrated TSF management and attracting investment while containing risk.

A TMF/TSF is a storage area for post-processed ore at a mining operation. It typically comprises a fine-grained material with uneconomic mineral content that is often transported and deposited there as a slurry, from which excess water is recovered. The method of impoundment varies for each mine.

The mining industry will never be the same again following an iron ore tailings dam failure in Brazil in January 2019. As a result, far greater transparency is being requested by investors and insurers with regards to TSF management structures, in addition to requirements by regulators and broader stakeholders.

Regulators are reviewing their guidelines and minimum requirements for design, operation and closure of tailings facilities. This includes international groups such as the International Commission of Large Dams (ICOLD) and the International Council for Mining and Metallurgy (ICMM).

Building on and unpacking this topic in far greater detail, the TSF breakfast discussion was led by:

- John Wates, Chairman, Fraser Alexander
- Andrew Copeland, Technical Director, Knight Piésold Southern Africa
- Rashaad Carrim, Partner, Webber Wentzel
- Le Roux van den Berg, Loss Adjuster, Lloyd Warwick

The discussion focused specifically on the following aspects:

• strategic risks facing organisation executives
• factors to determine appropriate executive level oversight
• potential shareholder liability
• investor interest and compliance oversight
• role of insurers in limiting risks

TSF discussion on MRA
The live discussion will be recorded and available for online viewing on the Mining Review Africa website from Thursday, 6 February at 12h00 - http://www.miningreview.com/category/webinars/ .

About Mining Review Africa:
Mining Review Africa is the leading monthly magazine and digital platform in the African mining industry. Every month, MRA reaches an audience of over 50 000 influential mining authorities and key decision makers through a variety of channels, including an interactive website, videos and print distribution at all major mining conferences in Africa and across the globe.