Date | 08 November 2021 |
- | 09 November 2021 |
Location | Sun City, North West, South Africa |
Resources |
GLOBAL TAILINGS Announcement & CFP. 29102020pdf.pdf
Tailings Conference 2021 Sponsorship Packages-03022021.pdf |
Tailings storage facilities have been a feature of mining operations around the globe since mining began. They are the depositories of waste or gangue material from mining operations and mineral processing plants, or the storage facilities for pollution control. In some cases, they may still contain low grade minerals, high grade fines that are not economically viable to treat. They may also contain reagents and other radioactive or potentially harmful minerals and chemicals, that could damage ecosystems in the event of their escape. Tailings facilities are each in a way unique, either in terms of location, terrain, design and construction. Furthermore, in terms of design and construction, debate occurs globally on the merits and demerits of upstream and downstream facilities, and wet or dry facilities.
Following failures of TSFs over many decades, but especially in the last few years, great pressure from civil society and the investment community has resulted in calls for more stringent standards and audits, as well as public disclosure of the results of risk analysis and monitoring.
This has culminated in the recent publication of the Global Industry Standard on Tailings Management by ICMM, UNEP and PRI as well as guidance by the International Commission on Large Dams (ICOLD). At the same time, the Global Mining Professionals Alliance has called on its members to participate actively on a Global Action on Tailings (GAT) group, to ensure cross fertilisation of knowledge and learnings about TSFs across the globe.
In addition, and in response to calls from the Church of England Pensions Board and the Council on Ethics for the Swedish Public Pension Funds, many mining companies conducted deep-dive self-audits during 2019 and 2020 which they published on their websites for public scrutiny.
In South Africa, the SAIMM has convened a Task Group which includes industry professionals, Academia, the SAIMM, and the South African Institute of Civil Engineers (SAICE). This group has formed the organizing committee for the presentation of this very important international conference.
At this point in time, the event is planned as a hybrid conference with international participation, which will allow for contact and online attendance and presentation. We are still in Stage 1 Lock down in South Africa as a result of COVID-19. We will monitor the situation, and if it appears that the effects of the pandemic are still such as to pose a threat to the health and safety of delegates, or restrictions are lifted to allow for more contact participation and international travel, the event delivery method will be adjusted accordingly.
Please submit your abstracts and papers as these will be peer reviewed and published for all contact and hybrid/online conferences.
The topics to be covered will follow the format of the ICMM Standard, as well as other topics. These include:
At this point in time, the event is planned as a full conference with international participation through web links. It is also planned to hold technical visits to nearby facilities.
However, as we are still in lockdown as a result of COVID-19, this will be constantly reviewed, and if it appears that the effects of the pandemic are still such as to pose a threat to the health and safety of delegates, this will be changed to a digital event.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, CONTACT:
Gugu Charlie, Conference Coordinator,
E-mail: gugu@saimm.co.za
Tel: +27 11 834-1273/7