XXXI International Mineral Processing Congress 2024 Proceedings/Washington, DC/Sep 29–Oct 3 141
where mining is carried out are still largely reliant upon
carbon-based energization, this is a major pitfall.
Filtered tailings has many challenges that are being
worked through as of this writing but also shows significant
progress for a positive future. It is important to note that
filtered tailings is not the silver bullet and do not apply to
all ore bodies or mineral processes.
GeoStable
The GeoStable concept consists of comingling tailings with
waste rock in a rated mixture that reduces the failure risk of
tailings and potentially mitigates acid or basic rock drain-
age. The intent is to eliminate the construction of a tailings
dam. The thickened tailings and waste rock are combined in
a prescribed mixture that is continuously blended through
transfer locations and distributed into a compacted earth
stockpile. The intent is to reduce surface water and oxygen
egress while providing a stable structure for permanently
confining the tailings.
Morrison presented the current advancement of the
GeoStable tailings technology in a keynote lecture pre-
sented at the Mine Waste and Tailings Conference 2023
(Morrison 2023). The GeoStable tailings technology is
being advanced through innovative industry collaboration
and shows promise in the potential successful application.
The GeoStable Tailings Consortium (GSTC) is developing
a knowledge database to establish guidelines for approaches
to testing, develop plans to construct and monitor field tri-
als, and transition into large-scale production. It is antici-
pated that the work will collectively be advanced over
the next 10 to 15 years and follows, among other things,
GISTM Requirement 6.6 (ICMM et al. 2020) consist-
ing of a focus on new and emerging technologies to evolve
knowledge in the design, construction, and operation of
tailings facilities.
The GSTC approach consists of four phases, which
include (Phase 1) case conceptualization and laboratory test
work. Phase 2 comprises small-scale field trials, which are
presently underway. The process is transitioning to Phase 3
with ongoing pilot tests, including commercial demonstra-
tion, with a goal of Phase 4 being full-scale implementa-
tion. The technology shows future promise, and time will
tell if the efficacy and capacity are achieved for large-scale
tailings containment.
THE GLOBAL INDUSTRY STANDARD
FOR TAILINGS MANAGEMENT
Tailings management requires skilled engineering, continu-
ous oversight with superior technical expertise, and practi-
cal tenured experience. In 2019, the International Council
on Mining and Metals (ICMM), the United Nations
Environment Programme (UNEP), and the Principles for
Responsible Investment (PRI) pooled their shared com-
mitment to the adoption of global best practices on tail-
ings storage facilities. The result was a co-convened global
tailings review to establish an international standard,
the GISTM, which was issued in August 2020 (ICMM
2020). Shortly thereafter, ICMM issued sister documents:
“Tailings Management: Good Practice Guide” (ICMM
2021b) and the “Conformance Protocols: Global Industry
Standard on Tailings Management” (ICMM 2021a). The
suite of these three documents were developed with the
intent of providing necessary guidance while being protec-
tive of the environment and maintaining social responsibil-
ity. The GISTM provides a governance framework and, at
its very core, a guidance document.
The GISTM was built around six topic areas that were
initially generated in the ICMM Tailings Governance
Framework. The GISTM is subdivided into 15 fundamen-
tal principles and 77 supporting requirements for respon-
sible tailings management. Instead of addressing technical
issues and factors leading to tailings facility failures, the
GISTM was established around ESG and thus contains
minimal engineering criteria or principles.
The most significant and critical contribution of the
GISTM is the establishment of governance responsibil-
ity and critical stakeholders, including the Accountable
Executive, the Responsible Tailings Facility Engineer
(RTFE), the Independent Tailings Review Board (ITRB),
and most importantly the EoR. These stakeholders and
specifically the EoR serve a critical role in the overall gover-
nance of the facility, which cannot be emphasized enough.
The EoR is in a critical position, serving as the respon-
sible and visionary leader for the execution of and adher-
ence to the design concept throughout the facility lifecycle.
A successful EoR in most cases is supported by an expe-
rienced and committed multidisciplinary team. The EoR
counterpart with the owner is known as the RTFE. The
RTFE has similar general qualifications to the EoR with
an additional focus on production and the associated mine
economics. However, the ultimate responsibility for all
facilities and their performance rests with the owner as rep-
resented by the Accountable Executive, and the GISTM
is unequivocal about this fundamental element of tailings
facility governance (ICMM et al. 2020).
The Tailings Management: Good Practice Guide
(ICMM 2021b) was generated after the GISTM and
was established by the ICMM working with Dr. Norbert
Morgenstern. It provides necessary support through the
interpretation and implementation of GISTM guidance
where mining is carried out are still largely reliant upon
carbon-based energization, this is a major pitfall.
Filtered tailings has many challenges that are being
worked through as of this writing but also shows significant
progress for a positive future. It is important to note that
filtered tailings is not the silver bullet and do not apply to
all ore bodies or mineral processes.
GeoStable
The GeoStable concept consists of comingling tailings with
waste rock in a rated mixture that reduces the failure risk of
tailings and potentially mitigates acid or basic rock drain-
age. The intent is to eliminate the construction of a tailings
dam. The thickened tailings and waste rock are combined in
a prescribed mixture that is continuously blended through
transfer locations and distributed into a compacted earth
stockpile. The intent is to reduce surface water and oxygen
egress while providing a stable structure for permanently
confining the tailings.
Morrison presented the current advancement of the
GeoStable tailings technology in a keynote lecture pre-
sented at the Mine Waste and Tailings Conference 2023
(Morrison 2023). The GeoStable tailings technology is
being advanced through innovative industry collaboration
and shows promise in the potential successful application.
The GeoStable Tailings Consortium (GSTC) is developing
a knowledge database to establish guidelines for approaches
to testing, develop plans to construct and monitor field tri-
als, and transition into large-scale production. It is antici-
pated that the work will collectively be advanced over
the next 10 to 15 years and follows, among other things,
GISTM Requirement 6.6 (ICMM et al. 2020) consist-
ing of a focus on new and emerging technologies to evolve
knowledge in the design, construction, and operation of
tailings facilities.
The GSTC approach consists of four phases, which
include (Phase 1) case conceptualization and laboratory test
work. Phase 2 comprises small-scale field trials, which are
presently underway. The process is transitioning to Phase 3
with ongoing pilot tests, including commercial demonstra-
tion, with a goal of Phase 4 being full-scale implementa-
tion. The technology shows future promise, and time will
tell if the efficacy and capacity are achieved for large-scale
tailings containment.
THE GLOBAL INDUSTRY STANDARD
FOR TAILINGS MANAGEMENT
Tailings management requires skilled engineering, continu-
ous oversight with superior technical expertise, and practi-
cal tenured experience. In 2019, the International Council
on Mining and Metals (ICMM), the United Nations
Environment Programme (UNEP), and the Principles for
Responsible Investment (PRI) pooled their shared com-
mitment to the adoption of global best practices on tail-
ings storage facilities. The result was a co-convened global
tailings review to establish an international standard,
the GISTM, which was issued in August 2020 (ICMM
2020). Shortly thereafter, ICMM issued sister documents:
“Tailings Management: Good Practice Guide” (ICMM
2021b) and the “Conformance Protocols: Global Industry
Standard on Tailings Management” (ICMM 2021a). The
suite of these three documents were developed with the
intent of providing necessary guidance while being protec-
tive of the environment and maintaining social responsibil-
ity. The GISTM provides a governance framework and, at
its very core, a guidance document.
The GISTM was built around six topic areas that were
initially generated in the ICMM Tailings Governance
Framework. The GISTM is subdivided into 15 fundamen-
tal principles and 77 supporting requirements for respon-
sible tailings management. Instead of addressing technical
issues and factors leading to tailings facility failures, the
GISTM was established around ESG and thus contains
minimal engineering criteria or principles.
The most significant and critical contribution of the
GISTM is the establishment of governance responsibil-
ity and critical stakeholders, including the Accountable
Executive, the Responsible Tailings Facility Engineer
(RTFE), the Independent Tailings Review Board (ITRB),
and most importantly the EoR. These stakeholders and
specifically the EoR serve a critical role in the overall gover-
nance of the facility, which cannot be emphasized enough.
The EoR is in a critical position, serving as the respon-
sible and visionary leader for the execution of and adher-
ence to the design concept throughout the facility lifecycle.
A successful EoR in most cases is supported by an expe-
rienced and committed multidisciplinary team. The EoR
counterpart with the owner is known as the RTFE. The
RTFE has similar general qualifications to the EoR with
an additional focus on production and the associated mine
economics. However, the ultimate responsibility for all
facilities and their performance rests with the owner as rep-
resented by the Accountable Executive, and the GISTM
is unequivocal about this fundamental element of tailings
facility governance (ICMM et al. 2020).
The Tailings Management: Good Practice Guide
(ICMM 2021b) was generated after the GISTM and
was established by the ICMM working with Dr. Norbert
Morgenstern. It provides necessary support through the
interpretation and implementation of GISTM guidance