Tailings and Dam Safety
Tailings are the byproducts of metal extraction, consisting of crushed rock, water and residual chemicals, typically stored in Tailings Storage Facilities (TSFs). We are deeply committed to the safe management of our tailings facilities.
As detailed in our Tailings and Heap Leach Management Standard, the safety of people and the environment is at the core of our approach and we systematically manage risks associated with TSFs including locating,
designing, monitoring and closing the facilities. Our standard defines six levels of inspection and safety assurance for TSFs and heap leach pads, ensuring compliance with engineering performance standards. These align with industry-leading practices including the Global Industry Standard for Tailings Management (GISTM), which we helped develop as industry representatives when it was produced following the Brumadinho tragedy in 2019.
Robust governance is in place at all levels to support this process with TSF inspections conducted by site, regional, corporate resources and external experts.
For all potential new or expanded tailings facilities, we use the Multiple Alternatives Assessments (MAA) process. This means we consider a range of factors including environmental, social, technical and economic factors when siting and designing a new facility and, going beyond the GISTM recommendations, we choose to weigh environmental and social factors most heavily in that process. At Reko Diq (pictured), this led to selecting a TSF site that, while costlier than some alternatives, offers superior long-term environmental and social safeguards.
Responsible Management and GISTM Compliance in 2024
As of the end of 2024, we managed 18 active and 43 closed tailing facilities with no failure incidents. Our full inventory of facilities is available online as required by the GISTM.
All 14 TSFs classified as ‘Extreme’ (5) or ‘Very High’ (9) now meet GISTM standards. We also moved five TSFs into Safe Closure during 2024, bringing our total facilities to seven with a further five TSFs planned for Safe Closure during 2025. We are on track to disclose in accordance with the GISTM for all remaining classified facilities in August 2025.
Our extensive work on TSFs includes independent reviews in 2024 of Carlin (Goldstrike and Gold Quarry), Cortez, Phoenix, Jabal Sayid, Loulo-Gounkoto, Kibali, Tongon, Lumwana, Bulyanhulu, North Mara and Pueblo
Viejo mines, as well as the Nickel Plate, Bicroft, Mercur, Buzwagi, El Indio and Tambo closure sites.
Porgera in Papua New Guinea utilizes riverine tailings disposal, an approach we typically avoid but one that remains the safest and most feasible option given the site’s unique topography, climatic and geotechnical constraints. We are continually looking for ways to reduce the volume of tails disposed in this way at Porgera.
Although GISTM does not cover heap leach facilities, we independently reviewed all heap leach facilities in our portfolio in 2024 to ensure compliance with global best practices. Where needed, we are implementing engineering solutions to mitigate issues such as long-term ore degradation.
As with all our sustainability activity, we engage with host communities and local authorities on relevant issues and try to create value from our efforts. In North Mara, for example, we have invested approximately $65 million to construct a modern High Recovery Plant (Brine Treatment Plant) and a Low Recovery Water Treatment Plant. Together, these plants treat up to 52 million litres of water daily, using reverse osmosis to ensure clean, potable water.
Further details of our approach to tailings management are available on our website.