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Time to talk about tailings dams
A horrendous accident in Brazil this January claimed the lives of hundreds after a tailings dam operated by Vale collapsed, releasing a deadly wave of iron tailings and mud. Tailings dams are notoriously dangerous and have claimed lives before, so are there other alternatives and what can be done to make them safer?
Vale reportedly eyes mine expansions and restart of Samarco
Brazilian iron ore miner Vale’s executives reportedly said that the company is sending a proposal this month to the board for further expansion at its Northern System mining complex in Brazil.
Investor initiative launches public tailing storage facility database
The Mining and Tailing Safety Initiative, a group of investors co-headed by the Church of England (CoE), launched on Friday the first public database on tailing storage facilities.
Brazil’s new bill tightens safety rules for upstream mining dams
Brazil’s Senate has passed a new bill that introduces tighter rules regulating the safety and inspection of dams in the mining industry across the country.
Vale to invest $400m to eliminate Brazilian tailings dams in 2022
The miner’s 12 dams, which are to be eliminated by 2022-end, represent a combined tailings volume of 46.9 million cubic metres.
Brazilian court orders Vale to pay $1.4bn for Brumadinho dam damages
A Brazilian court has ordered iron ore miner Vale to pay BRL7.9bn ($1.47B) in guarantees, with respect to Brumadinho tailings dam damage that occured last year.
Brazil regulator extends deadline to close dangerous mine dams
Brazil’s regulator the National Mining Agency (ANM) has extended the deadlines for the closure of dangerous mine tailings dams by up to four years.
Independent auditors raise the warning level of three Vale dams
Vale has announced that it has raised the warning level of three more of its dams, following an audit by independent investigators, which found that the dams would not be considered safe under Brazil’s new mining laws.
Brazil considers reopening $27.4bn civil action lawsuit against Vale, BHP
Federal and state prosecutors in Brazil are seeking to reopen a multi-billion dollar civil action lawsuit against mining companies Samarco, Vale and BHP.
Brazilian court orders Vale to cease operations at 13 tailings dams
Brazil’s Court of Santa Bárbara has ordered operations cease at 13 tailings dams owned by iron ore giant Vale as investigations continue into the company's role in the Brumadinho disaster.
ICMM to create international standards for mine tailings facilities
The International Council on Mining and Metals (ICMM) has announced a plan to create an international standard for tailings facilities used to store mine waste, in the wake of the collapse of a Vale-owned dam in Brazil, which claimed the lives of 169 people.
UN report calls for regulation to address tailing dam failures
A report published by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) has called for collective action from governments and mining industry to put an end to disasters related to tailings dams across the world.
ICMM announces chair for independent review into mine tailings
The International Council of Mining and Metals (ICMM) has announced that it is working with two bodies, the Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI) and the United National Environment Programme (UNEP), to conduct a review into international standards of tailings storage facilities.
Ecuador tightens rules for mining waste dams
The Ecuadorian Government has announced that it has introduced new and tighter rules regulating the construction and operation of mining waste dams to avoid disasters similar to the one in Brazil in January last year at a Vale-operated site.
Dam straight: Australian miners reflect on safe tailings management
Another deadly tailings dam disaster in Brazil has prompted soul-searching in the wider industry. In a well-regulated and mature market like Australia, Chris Lo asks, is the mining sector taking proper stock of its tailings management practices?
Vale disaster: death toll reaches 58 at Brumadinho dam collapse
The death count due to a collapsed dam at Vale’s Córrego do Feijão iron mine in Brazil has increased from 37 to 58 in two days after the collapse of the mine's dam that unleashed a mudslide on the local town of Brumadinho.
University of New South Wales unveils new research to prevent tailings dams disasters
UNSW research has reassessed how miners test the strength of their dams and stresses the impact earthquakes have on the structures.
UN calls for independent investigation into Brazilian dam collapse
UN human rights experts have sought a prompt and impartial investigation into the deadly collapse of a tailing dam in Minas Gerais, Brazil.
Prosecutors order Vale to close operations following disaster
The Brazilian state of Minas Gerais has ordered Vale to close a third mine in the wake of a collapse of a tailings dam at one of the miner’s iron projects in the state, which has left more than 300 people dead or missing.
Inmarsat and Knight Piésold announce tailings dam monitoring solution
Satellite communications firm Inmarsat and engineering consultants Knight Piésold have announced that they will work together on a smart solution to monitor tailings storage dams.