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time. Also with this culture more restrictive environmental constraints apply to new tailings facilities. • Medium and large mining companies develop tailings management procedures by applying design and construction procedures in accordance with state of the art techniques, with the support of experienced and internationally recognized engineering consultants. In the practice, the following or standards are considered for design: ICOLD guidelines for tailings dams, World Bank guidelines and Canadian guidelines. • In recent years, new large mining developments have been financed by international banks, agencies or related mining companies, thus requiring that the design must be performed in accordance with the best international engineering practice and using codes and standards in force in the respective origin countries. Also, the use of proven technology is highly valued by the regulatory agencies. • Small size mining operations (i.e., under 1000 TPD) usually develop their designs and operations under their own methods (self construction). In general, they do not use recognized engineering consultants and in some cases, they do not follow the established permitting process for their mining operations. In spite of the above, SERNAGEOMIN has developed a complete register of all mining operations in the country. C. 7 MEXICO The Mexican Official Standard (1997) stipulates the compulsory requirements for site selection, construction, operation and monitoring of tailings facility. These requirements include: an environmental impact study, compliance with laws governing historical or cultural heritage, and surface water protection, geological characterization, land surveys, compliance with dam design standards, and monitoring for tailings over 50 m in height. C. 8 CHINA In the Peoples Republic of China (PRC), tailings storage facilities must be designed and constructed in accordance with National Codes (Design Standards). Provincial authorities are responsible for issuing a license to construct and operate a tailings facility. Code ZBJ 1-90 (1991) Design Standard – Tailings facility for a Mine, addresses the design of a tailings facility as one of five classes according to capacity and dam height. The Code specifies the minimum factors of safety for various operating conditions. Tables are presented stipulating the minimum freeboard and storage (beach) length for different classes and types of construction (upstream and centreline), minimum crest widths and downstream slope angles. Code GB 50201-94 (1994) Standard for Flood Control, and Code SDJ 218-84 (1984) Standard for Earth and Rockfill Dams stipulates the design return period storm to be used for the tailings facility classes and presents design standards for earth and rockfill dams, including freeboard. Other codes also address aspects of the design of tailings facilities. Quality criteria for water discharged from a tailings facility are presented in Code GB 3838-88 (1988) Quality Standard – Surface Water. The Environmental Protection Department will issue an operating permit. This permit stipulates the location, type and frequency of testing that is required to verify compliance with the permit. A construction and operating permit has to be obtained before tailings facility construction can start. The operator or proponent must submit a Design Report to the Provincial authorities who convene a Provincial Planning Committee to review and approve the proposals. On acceptance of the design by the committee a Construction Permit is awarded and work may commence. Periodic inspections are Issued by the Anglo Technical Division page 22 of 47
made by authorities during construction and operation during which compliance to various regulations is assessed. Closure and Rehabilitation Plans are required for the facility. The approach adopted in China is one of strict adherence to the national Codes and frequent inspection and reporting by National, Provincial and District regulatory agencies. C.9 MALAYSIA Malyasia’s current mining legislation is limited because it deals almost exclusively with the small-scale alluvial tin mines that have dominated the country’s mining sector. To attract foreign investment, Malaysia has proposed new legislation for large-scale hard rock mining. The proposed legislation includes specific requirements for tailings management such as: design that complies with good engineering practice, supervised construction, stability against static and dynamic loading, an operating plan and freeboard of not less than one metre. C. 10 UNITED KINGDOM (UK) Whist not specifically referencing tailings, facility construction and operation in the UK are covered by a number of Acts administered by various government agencies and departments. Legislation under the Environment Protection Act, 1990 requires an operator of a process plant to obtain prior authorisation before a plant can operate. The Water Act, 1989 governs the discharge of water from a mine site into rivers and the Environmental Protection Act, 1990 requires that a Disposal Licence be obtained for some wastes. A tailings facility is classifiable in terms of the Mines and Quarries (Tips) Act, 1971, Part 1 of which details a comprehensive system of reports and inspections. These regulations require that a tailings facility be designed and regularly inspected by a “competent person” and describe the nature and frequency of reports required. Under Part 2 of the Act the local authority is responsible for ensuring that disused tips, not associated with active mines or quarries, do not constitute a danger to members for the public. In addition of these requirements the Reservoirs Act, 1976 requires that an embankment which contains or is designed to retain, more than 25,000 m 3 of water above the natural level of the adjoining land be registered and regularly inspected. C. 11 SWEDEN There are no specific guidelines or regulations for tailings management in Sweden. However all industrial activities have to be examined according to the Environmental Code that was in force January 1, 1999. This law substitutes regulations from 15 earlier environmental law acts, i.e. the Water act. To achieve a mining licence the operator has to apply at one of the five regional environmental courts in Sweden. The application has to include an Environmental Impact Assessment of the mining operation, which includes the environmental aspects of operation, decommissioning and closure of the tailings facility. The environmental court establish limits and guideline values for the mining operation, that the Country Administrative Board or the Municipal Environmental Protection and Public Health Department later supervise. The technical aspects of tailings dams are described in the general Guidelines for Dam Safety given by the Association of Swedish Power companies. C. 12 OTHER EC COUNTRIES The European Community, including the UK is bound by EC Directives covering, for example environmental assessment, water quality, and disposal of waste and landfills. The Directives are implemented by national legislation that varies from country to country. In Germany each State is responsible for implementing the regulations. In France, mineral extraction and tailings disposal is covered by the mining code (Code Minier) and local plans (Plan d’Occupation des Sols). Issued by the Anglo Technical Division page 23 of 47
Page 1 and 2: SAFETY, HEALTH & ENVIRONMENT BULLET
Page 3 and 4: Contents 1 Introduction 2 The Desig
Page 5 and 6: Because a tailings disposal facilit
Page 7 and 8: full risk assessment should be done
Page 9 and 10: Monitoring, Checking and Corrective
Page 11 and 12: • an emergency preparedness plan
Page 13 and 14: Appendix A Overview of Existing Reg
Page 15 and 16: (Appendix C of Original Document) O
Page 17 and 18: and every three years for Category
Page 19 and 20: implementation in accordance with t
Page 21: C.6 CHILE The legislation in Chile
Page 25 and 26: • Bulletin 103 Tailings Dams and
Page 27 and 28: DATE AUTHORITY AUTHOR TITLE 1998 De
Page 29 and 30: MEXICO DATE AUTHORITY AUTHOR TITLE
Page 31 and 32: DATE AUTHORITY AUTHOR TITLE Eds. En
Page 33 and 34: Appendix C Extract from SANS Specif
Page 35 and 36: Appendix D Checklists for Tailings
Page 37 and 38: Good operational practices that sho
Page 39 and 40: D7 Anglo American plc Golden Rules
Page 41 and 42: Golden Rule 2 Working at Heights Op
Page 43 and 44: Golden Rule 4 Surface Vehicle Safet
Page 45 and 46: Golden Rule 6 Lifting and Material
Page 47 and 48: • Task completion review • Cris

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