Following the failure of a tailings dam at Brumadinho, Brazil in January 2019, the Global Mineral Professionals Alliance established the Global Action on Tailings (GAT) Initiative to address challenges concerning tailings disposal and storage.
An international Taskforce with experts from each GMPA association is collaborating to build the skills and knowledge in good tailings practice of GMPA members as well as identify ways for the mining industry to eventually reduce or eliminate tailings storage facilities. A key goal is to support professionals in ways that lead to greater trust by society about industry’s ability to manage tailings risks.
GMPA members are generating and sharing tailings course content, webinars, conference programs, industry standards, handbooks and technical papers to contribute to a knowledge base on good tailings practice and to support training of competent tailings professionals to meet industry needs. The Global Action on Tailings eNews aims to keep members informed of current and relevant tailings content.
To become involved in the GAT or, for further information, contact: Laurie Reemeyer (GAT Taskforce Lead)
About the GMPA
Representing more than 50,000 minerals professionals worldwide, the GMPA is a collaboration between leading professional organizations for minerals around the world. The member institutes take a leadership role in the pursuit and continuing development of best practice professionalism in the minerals industries. Areas of focus include science, engineering, mineral processing, environmental stewardship, community engagement, and mineral economics and finance.
Member organizations include: Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy (AusIMM), Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum (CIM), Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining (IOM3), Instituto de Ingenieros de Minas de Chile (IIMCh), Instituto de Ingenieros de Minas del Perú (IIMP), Society for Mining, Metallurgy and Exploration Inc. (SME), and Southern African Institute of Mining and Metallurgy (SAIMM).