Tailings and mining waste
Responsible management of tailings and mining waste is vital to our operations and we are committed to minimising environmental impact through safe and sustainable practices.
Our commitment
We are committed to designing, operating and managing our tailings storage facilities in a safe, sustainable and responsible manner throughout the lifecycle of our mining operations.
Our management approach
Our mining operations generate mining-related waste including tailings and waste rock. Tailings are a by-product of the mining process, consisting of fine-grained processed rock or soil left over from the separation of the commodities of value.
Responsible tailings management throughout the mine life cycle is a critical part of managing and minimising the risks from waste produced during the mining process. TSF failure can range from seepage to catastrophic release of solids and water, with potential to impact sensitive receptors.
In line with best practice, management accountability of the tailings storage facility (TSF) sits with the MinRes Executive team, with the Board maintaining oversight of all tailings management.
To reduce the risk of TSF failure, a rigorous regulatory process is followed in Western Australia. All TSF details - including design, technical data, analyses, construction method, quality control and operational procedures - must conform to the Local Government, Industry Regulation and Safety's TSF Code of Practice and design, management and operational guidelines published by the Australian National Committee on Large Dams (ANCOLD) and other relevant bodies.
We strive to operate in line with the 15 principles and 77 requirements set out by the Global Industry Standard on Tailings Management (GISTM) as well as the guidelines set out by ANCOLD for large and small water and tailings dams. We recognise the value in the principles and guidelines set out by these standards and have elected to align our operations to these guidelines.
In alignment with ANCOLD, MinRes has a Tailings Storage Facility Policy which outlines our commitment to designing, operating and managing our TSFs in a safe and responsible manner to ensure we meet the goal of zero harm to people and the environment, with zero tolerance for human fatality.
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