Regional Workshop on Management and Safety of Mine ...siteresources.worldbank.org/INTRANETENVIRONMENT/1863975... · Regional Workshop on Management and Safety of Mine Tailings Dams

Regional Workshop on Management Regional Workshop on Management and Safety of Mine Tailings Damsand Safety of Mine Tailings Dams

Sinaia, Romania Sinaia, Romania •• October 8October 8--10, 200310, 2003

Summary and RecommendationsSummary and RecommendationsAdriana Adriana EftimieEftimie, Former Director National Agency for Mineral Resources, Former Director National Agency for Mineral Resources

Rita Rita CesttiCestti, Senior Water Resources Economist, ECSSD, Senior Water Resources Economist, ECSSD

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STRUCTURESTRUCTURE

Increased Attention to Tailings Increased Attention to Tailings Dams ManagementDams ManagementRational Rational –– BNPP EA WindowBNPP EA WindowParticipants and Themes of Participants and Themes of DiscussionDiscussionMajor Challenges to Tailings Major Challenges to Tailings Facility Management in RomaniaFacility Management in RomaniaWorkshop RecommendationsWorkshop Recommendations

3

Recent Mine Tailings Recent Mine Tailings Dams IncidentsDams Incidents

Merriespruit (1994), South Africa: Death of 17 people, no management framework to ensure safe operation of tailings dams in the long termMar Copper (1996), Philippines: US$70M cleanup, unclear identification of roles and inadequate inspection procedures. OMAI (1995), Guyana: Operational tailings dam, US$11M cleanup + US$10M lost production, massive piping failure, preventable if existing design and construction technology applied

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Recent Mine Tailings Recent Mine Tailings Dams Incidents Dams Incidents (Continuation)(Continuation)

Baia Mare (2000), Romania: About 100,000 m3 of cyanide-contaminated water released beyond control,US$3.5 M damage, 1,200 tons of fish reported death, significant transboundary impacts. Faulty design, construction no according to technical specifications and lack of adequate monitoring.Baia Borsa (2000), Romania: Dam breached after heavy rainfall and melting of snow, 20,000 tons of mine waste reached transboundary rivers.

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Number of Failures of Water-Retention Dams and Tailings Dams

Number of Failures of WaterNumber of Failures of Water--Retention Retention Dams and Tailings DamsDams and Tailings Dams

(Sources: USCOLD 1994, UNEP 1996, Bruce Geotechnical 1996)

0

10

20

30

40

1909 1919 1929 1939 1949 1959 1969 1979 1989 1999

Over 10 Year Period EndingOver 10 Year Period EndingOver 10 Year Period Ending

No.

of D

am F

ailu

res

No.

of D

am F

ailu

res

No.

of D

am F

ailu

res Water-retention Dam FailuresWaterWater--retention Dam Failuresretention Dam Failures

Tailings Dam FailuresTailings Dam FailuresTailings Dam Failures

6(Sources: USCOLD 1994, UNEP 1996, Bruce Geotechnical 1996)

0102030405060708090

100

H<30 30<H<60 H>60

Height (m)Height (m)Height (m)

% o

f Tot

al D

ams

Faile

d%

of T

otal

Dam

s Fa

iled

% o

f Tot

al D

ams

Faile

d Water Supply DamsTailings Dams

Water-Retention Dam and Tailings Dam Failures Versus Height

WaterWater--Retention Dam and Tailings Retention Dam and Tailings Dam Failures Versus HeightDam Failures Versus Height

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International Attention to the Management International Attention to the Management and Safety of Tailings Damsand Safety of Tailings Dams

8

STRUCTURESTRUCTURE


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World Bank Safeguard PoliciesWorld Bank Safeguard Policies

Environmental Environmental AssessmentAssessmentNatural HabitatsNatural HabitatsForestsForestsPest ManagementPest ManagementCultural PropertyCultural PropertyIndigenous PeoplesIndigenous Peoples

Involuntary Involuntary ResettlementResettlementSafety of DamsSafety of DamsProjects involving Projects involving International WatersInternational WatersProjects in Disputed Projects in Disputed AreasAreas

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Safety of Mine Tailings FacilitiesSafety of Mine Tailings Facilities

3. For example, a water storage dam for a hydropower, water supply, irrigation, flood control, or multipurpose project; a tailings or a slimes dam for a mine project; or an ash impoundment dam for a thermal power plant.

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STRUCTURESTRUCTURE


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Audience and ParticipantsAudience and ParticipantsRomanian Participants: Mining operators, Water Romanian Participants: Mining operators, Water Authority, MoAWE, including State Minister of Authority, MoAWE, including State Minister of Mining and President of NAMRMining and President of NAMRParticipants from ECA and NonParticipants from ECA and Non--ECA countries: ECA countries: Armenia, Armenia, BoliviaBolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, , Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Hungary, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, Bulgaria, Hungary, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, FYR Macedonia, Moldova, FYR Macedonia, Moldova, PeruPeru, Poland, Serbia , Poland, Serbia and Montenegro, Tajikistan, Turkey, Ukraine and and Montenegro, Tajikistan, Turkey, Ukraine and ZambiaZambiaDonors: Austria and DFID (UK)Donors: Austria and DFID (UK)Presenters: Austria, Canada, US, UKPresenters: Austria, Canada, US, UK

~ ~ Approximately 80 peopleApproximately 80 people

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Themes of DiscussionThemes of DiscussionMine waste management and mineMine waste management and mine--life life management frameworkmanagement frameworkManagement tools for tailings facilitiesManagement tools for tailings facilitiesRisk management and risk assessmentRisk management and risk assessmentRegulatory and institutional aspectsRegulatory and institutional aspectsEnvironmental aspectsEnvironmental aspects

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MineMine--Life Management Framework (D. Van Life Management Framework (D. Van ZylZyl))

Mine wastes and tailings facilities must be actively Mine wastes and tailings facilities must be actively managed during the mine lifemanaged during the mine life--cycle cycle Design, operation and closure is a continuous process and Design, operation and closure is a continuous process and must be seen as suchmust be seen as such

Exploration1-10 years

1

Final Closure andDecommissioning

1-5 years

5

Operation

2 - 100 yearsProgressive

Rehabilitation

4

Construction

3

Detailed SiteInvestigation,

Design andEstimating for

Closure

2

SuspensionTermination

2A

Post Closure

In Perpetuity

6

Typically 1 - 3 years

SuspensionTermination(often repeated)

1ATemporary

Closure

4A

Key

Mine Life Cycle 1960's

Mine Life Cycle 1970s +

Mine Life Cycle 2000Source: John Gadsby, Vancouver BC, 2002

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Management Tools For Tailings Facilities (R. Management Tools For Tailings Facilities (R. SiwikSiwik))Site Selection

and Design

Construction

Operation

Decommissioningand Closure

timeManagement System

Design Standards

Operation, Maintenance, Surveillance Manuals

Mining Association of Canada:Mining Association of Canada:–– A Guide to the Management of Tailings Facilities A Guide to the Management of Tailings Facilities –– Developing an Operation, Maintenance and Surveillance Manual forDeveloping an Operation, Maintenance and Surveillance Manual for

Tailings and Water Management FacilitiesTailings and Water Management Facilities

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Risk Management and Risk Assessment (D. Bowles)Risk Management and Risk Assessment (D. Bowles)

Since risk can not eliminate, therefore it must be Since risk can not eliminate, therefore it must be managed (Institution of Civil Engineering, 1996)managed (Institution of Civil Engineering, 1996)Use of risk assessmentUse of risk assessment–– Understanding the risk (qualitative and quantitative)Understanding the risk (qualitative and quantitative)–– Managing the risk (exploring options, justifying actions Managing the risk (exploring options, justifying actions

and prioritizing actions)and prioritizing actions)

Decision types:Decision types:–– The tolerable risk goal The tolerable risk goal –– how low is low enough?how low is low enough?–– The risk reduction pathway The risk reduction pathway –– how to get the goal?how to get the goal?–– Managing residual risk Managing residual risk –– Throughout the pathwayThroughout the pathway

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Risk management/risk assessment should lead to identify most cost-effective risk reduction actions:

“80:20 Principle”

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Regulatory and Regulatory and Institutional Institutional

AspectsAspects

Form of regulationInstitutional arrangementPowers of regulating entityContent of regulating scheme

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Environmental Environmental AspectsAspects

Tailings present a risk to human health and environmentFull range of environmental issues (air, water, and soil). Can be categorized as acute (high intensity/ short duration) and chronic (low intensity/prolonged duration); and can be associated with operational phase (operating mine) and after care phase (closed mine)Management Plan should incorporate principle of “designing for closure,” and should show how identified risks will be mitigated and monitored during lifetime –and after closure – of tailings facilities

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STRUCTURESTRUCTURE


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Major Challenges to Tailings Facility Major Challenges to Tailings Facility Management in RomaniaManagement in Romania

Environmental and safety problems with tailings Environmental and safety problems with tailings facilities and waste dumps in the Tisza Basin are facilities and waste dumps in the Tisza Basin are significantsignificant–– Environmental Assessment of the Mining Sector Environmental Assessment of the Mining Sector

highlights highlights Safety of Tailings FacilitiesSafety of Tailings Facilities among the highest among the highest environmental priorities for Romaniaenvironmental priorities for Romania

»» CountryCountry--wide, about 264 tailings facilities wide, about 264 tailings facilities –– 40 pose a severe 40 pose a severe threat to human population and environment (Two serious threat to human population and environment (Two serious accidents in Upper Tisza in 2000 with transboundary accidents in Upper Tisza in 2000 with transboundary consequences)consequences)

»» Environmental legacy: Large number of of abandoned tailings Environmental legacy: Large number of of abandoned tailings facilities and mine waste rock dumpsfacilities and mine waste rock dumps

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Distribution of Mineral Resources in Distribution of Mineral Resources in the Tisza Basinthe Tisza Basin

Polymetallic minerals

Gold/silver

Lignite

Coal

Ferrous minerals

Bauxite

Polymetallic minerals

Gold/silver

Lignite

Coal

Ferrous minerals

Bauxite

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Major Challenges to Tailings Facility Major Challenges to Tailings Facility Management in RomaniaManagement in Romania

Progress in harmonizing tailings dams legal framework Progress in harmonizing tailings dams legal framework with international practice and procedures with international practice and procedures –– tailings tailings dams covered by Dam Safety Law (since 2001)dams covered by Dam Safety Law (since 2001)–– Proper enforcement of legislation is lackingProper enforcement of legislation is lacking–– Advances in riskAdvances in risk--based management are neededbased management are needed–– Independency to verify good design and operational practice is Independency to verify good design and operational practice is

questionable (most national experts involved in tailings questionable (most national experts involved in tailings operations or were involved in earlier design)operations or were involved in earlier design)

Emergency response systems are outdated or not Emergency response systems are outdated or not functioningfunctioningIn general, poor management of tailings dams and In general, poor management of tailings dams and waste facilities due to lack of funds and culture to waste facilities due to lack of funds and culture to manage manage ““business risksbusiness risks”” and keep good public imageand keep good public image

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Baia Borsa

High Priority Sites: High Priority Sites: BaiaBaia BorsaBorsa and and RosiaRosia PoieniPoieni

Rosia Poieni

VALEA SESEI

Total Capacity: 110 million tons (30 million tons)

Dam height: 110 m (76 m)

Surface Area: 300 ha

NOVAT

Total Capacity: 25 million tons (9 million tons)

Dam height: 70 m (30 m)

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BaiaBaia BorsaBorsa: : NovatNovat Tailings Dams FacilityTailings Dams Facility

Progressive failure of embankment dam by pipingBlockage of surface runoff diversion tunnelContinuous contamination of acid rock drainage

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TDF TDF –– area of breach from March 2000area of breach from March 2000

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TDF TDF –– incomplete repair of breached areaincomplete repair of breached area

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TDF TDF –– breached area still clearly visiblebreached area still clearly visible

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RosiaRosia PoieniPoieni: : ValeaValea SeseiSesei Tailings Dams and Tailings Dams and Waste Dumps FacilityWaste Dumps Facility

Geamena waste dump for rock and low grade oreValea Cuibarului waste dump for rock and low grade ore

300 m

From Geamana

From Cuibarului

Failure of waste dumps Failure of waste dumps –– triggering triggering landslides and debris flows and impacting landslides and debris flows and impacting on TDF on TDF Contamination of acid rock drainage Contamination of acid rock drainage generated by waste dumps and seeping generated by waste dumps and seeping through tailings damsthrough tailings damsFailure of embankment dams Failure of embankment dams –– release of release of tailingstailings

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STRUCTURESTRUCTURE


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RecommendationsRecommendationsDesign, Monitoring, Design, Monitoring,

Prevention and MitigationPrevention and Mitigation

Holistic and comprehensive monitoring system Holistic and comprehensive monitoring system (environment/water management based on a watershed (environment/water management based on a watershed approach)approach)Flood protection/management should be coordinated with Flood protection/management should be coordinated with Tailings facilities risk managementTailings facilities risk managementNeed to explore synergy between mining operation and Need to explore synergy between mining operation and environmental protection environmental protection –– look for winlook for win--win situationswin situationsExisting engineering guidelines are in general adequate, Existing engineering guidelines are in general adequate, enforcement however is very limitedenforcement however is very limitedMine operators need to have full understanding of working Mine operators need to have full understanding of working with complex environmental factors (weather)with complex environmental factors (weather)

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RecommendationsRecommendationsResponse, Preparedness and Response, Preparedness and

Regional CooperationRegional Cooperation

Information sharing and public consultation/involvementInformation sharing and public consultation/involvementNeed to improve risk managementNeed to improve risk management–– Consequence of failures shall also include environmental impactsConsequence of failures shall also include environmental impacts–– In the case of closed mines, residual risk must be managedIn the case of closed mines, residual risk must be managed

Need to give attention to ALL elements of the Emergency Need to give attention to ALL elements of the Emergency Preparedness Plan. Failure Mode and Effects Analysis Preparedness Plan. Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA) should form the basis for response matrix(FMEA) should form the basis for response matrixInternational cooperation important to address safety of International cooperation important to address safety of mine tailingsmine tailings

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FollowFollow--Up: World Bank SupportUp: World Bank Support

Romania Hazards Risk Mitigation and Emergency Romania Hazards Risk Mitigation and Emergency Preparedness Project: Risk Reduction of Mining Preparedness Project: Risk Reduction of Mining Accidents in the Tisza Basin:Accidents in the Tisza Basin:–– Improved independency of Dam Safety CommissionImproved independency of Dam Safety Commission–– Improved capacity on risk management and risk assessmentImproved capacity on risk management and risk assessment–– Set up a regional task force to review and harmonize failure Set up a regional task force to review and harmonize failure

mode and effect analysis includingmode and effect analysis including–– Strengthening monitoring systems and emergency Strengthening monitoring systems and emergency

preparedness and response plans and procedurespreparedness and response plans and proceduresKyrgyz Republic Natural Disaster Mitigation ProjectKyrgyz Republic Natural Disaster Mitigation Project–– Addresses tailings from uranium mines in Addresses tailings from uranium mines in MailuuMailuu SuuSuu areaarea

Thank you!Thank you!

Documents

Regional Workshop on Management and Safety of Mine ...siteresources.worldbank.org/INTRANETENVIRONMENT/1863975... · Regional Workshop on Management and Safety of Mine Tailings Dams