Mine tailings are the fine-grained waste materials discharged from ore processing or coal preparation plants.
Mine tailings storage facilities (TSFs) are reservoirs that store mine tailings.
Mine operators, also known as persons conducting a business or undertaking (PCBUs) must effectively manage and maintain TSFs to prevent serious significant risks to health, safety and the environment.
Hazard management for TSFs
The Tailing storage facilities in Western Australia: Code of practice supports industry by providing information on how to safely store and manage tailings.
This Code assists industry to ensure compliance with legislative requirements for workplace health and safety under the Work Health and Safety Act 2020 (WHS Act), the Work Health and Safety (Mines) Regulations 2022 (WHS Mines Regulations) and the Mining Act 1978 for environmental matters.
The Code outlines:
- specified outcomes for TSFs to assist PCBUs in meeting legislative approval requirements
- variables to be considered that demonstrate that a TSF is safe, stable, non-polluting, erosion-resistant and self-sustaining
- the recommended hazard management process for TSFs
- the broader work health and safety requirements for operating in accordance with the legislation.
The code promotes a proactive approach to safety during TSF design, construction, operation and closure, and monitoring throughout construction, operation and closure stages. This approach enables operators to reduce health, safety and environmental risks during operation and following the closure of a TSF.
Reporting
There are guides available to assist designers and operators with the preparation of the reports required for design, construction and operation of TSFs.
The guides describe the reports that should be submitted to the Department as required by the Mining Act 1978 and as referenced in the Code.
While there is no format specified for these reports, they must include essential information that ensure that a TSF can be managed safely. Using the guides can ensure that your information is supplied in a format that meets the legal requirements.
As the guides are periodically updated, you should always check online for the latest version to ensure that your reports meet all the essential criteria.
Design report
The design report provides a comprehensive analysis of background conditions and investigations carried out during TSF planning.
The report outlines the basis of the design of the TSF and justifies the parameters adopted for engineering design, construction, operation, rehabilitation and closure of the TSF.
Use the Guide to the preparation of a design report for tailings storage facilities (TSFs) when preparing your design report.
Management and closure of TSFs
TSFs play a vital role in mining operations and should be fully integrated into the safety and environmental management systems of a mine. Effective tailings management involves developing and implementing systems for the entire lifecycle of the TSF including design, construction, operation, inspection, decommissioning and closure.
The Guide to Departmental requirements for the management and closure of tailings storage facilities (TSFs) can assist you to prepare the reports required for managing your TSF and help you to meet your legislative obligations.
Lodgement of TSF construction and operational review reports
Under the Mining Act 1978, tenement holders with TSF conditions must submit their geotechnical reports to the Department’s Resource and Environmental Regulations within the specified timeframe outlined in their tenement conditions.
These reports include a one-off submission for a TSF construction report, with TSF operational review reports to be submitted on a regular schedule.
Learn how to lodge a geotechnical report under TSF tenement conditions.
Notifications required
Under r.675UK and Schedule 23 of the WHS Mines Regulations, the mine operator must submit in writing a high risk mining activity (HRA) notification for tailings storage facilities to the regulator:
- 45 days prior to the construction of a TSF, or
- when substantial change is made to a TSF.
However, a HRA is not required if its details have been previously provided in a mining commencement notice or in an additional operations notice.
Learn how to lodge your notification through Safety Regulation System (SRS).
Resources
- The tailings dam: audit guide and template can assist you with conducting a TSF audit.
- Information and guidance on tailings storage facilities is available from The Australian National Committee On Large Dams (ANCOLD)
- The Leading Practice Sustainable Development Program for the Mining Industry handbook on Tailing management addresses the theme of tailings management and identifies key issues affecting sustainable development in the mining industry.
- The Global industry standard on tailings management is directed at operators and applies to tailings facilities, both existing and to-be-built.
- The Tailings Management: Good Practice Guide supports and promotes safe and responsible management of tailings across the global mining industry.