Transparency of reporting on tailings storage facilities by the six largest members of the International Council on Mining and Metals
Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: The risks posed by mines' waste storage facilities have become evident. In 2020, the International Council on Mining and Metals (ICMM) accepted the Global Industry Standard on Tailings Management (GISTM). To discover whether the Standard has changed companies' practices, whether the changes are comprehensive enough, and whether enough attention is given to non-technical aspects, we examined sustainability reporting on tailings storage facilities by the six largest mining companies in the world that are members of the ICMM. The paper uses concepts from social constructivism. We compared the transparency in reporting before and after the acceptance of the GISTM to investigate whether it has improved reporting. Despite some improvement in transparency about the location of each tailings storage facility and the risks it poses, concerns remain. The aspects needing improvement are the disaster terminology, the frequency of reviewing tailings storage facilities, and the acknowledgement that communities change. Newmont Corporation's approach offers hope for a broader understanding of disaster. Our main conceptual contribution links the need for transparency in disaster thinking with the inability of transparency reporting to do justice to this need. • The Global Industry Standard for Tailings Management must be implemented. • There is evidence of improved transparency by ICMM members, but concerns remain. • Using social constructivism, we argue for a proper acknowledgement of disaster. • There should be a greater emphasis on community change and risks. • Although not perfect, Newmont Corporation sets a good example.
Source: Resources Policy
Authors: Cornelie Crous, Lochner Marais
Institution: University of the Free State
Language: English
Subfield: Civil and Structural Engineering
Field: Engineering
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
Estimated APC paid: $3,810
OpenAlex ID: W4416230461