TAILINGS SAFETY BRAZIL SEMINAR 2024

LESSONS LEARNED - TECHNOLOGIES, GOVERNANCE AND COMMUNICATION

The ruptures that have occurred in recent years have been a watershed in the world of mining. Undoubtedly, the seriousness of the ruptures in Minas Gerais, which the sector deeply regrets, has brought the issue into the immediate focus of debates on the management of mining tailings. In response, several modifications to the dam legislation were made both in the state of Minas Gerais and in Brazil. But not only that. The changes in legislation reflect and bring as a consequence a great change in the entire sector. In the medium and long term, the industry continues to search for safer and more sustainable models for managing mining tailings. The companies also adopted new emergency plans and began to train communities near the mining projects with more emphasis on the possible risks. The industry seeks greater transparency and sharing of information about its operations, existing risks, and how they are being controlled.

THE FUTURE OF TAILINGS DISPOSAL: STACKING AND OTHER ALTERNATIVES

Waste generation is an inherent part of mining, as well as any production process. In addition to the trend of increasing generation of mining waste, we have experienced recent changes in legislation and regulations and in society's demands; in relation to the disposal of these materials, culminating in a series of projects and developments of technical alternatives to dams. In this panel we will learn about some of these solutions that have been developed here in Brazil.

THE EMERGENCY ACTION PLAN FOR MINING DAMS (PAEBM) IN BRAZIL AND MINAS GERAIS: CONSTRUCTION AND APPROVAL

The elaboration of the Emergency Action Plan for Mining Dams is required by federal and state legislation in Minas Gerais, for dams with the greatest potential damage. In Minas Gerais, a series of ordinances include the instructions for the preparation of the documents and information to be presented, for the preparation and approval of the Plan, necessary to obtain the Installation License, the Operating License of the enterprises. Guidelines for the validation of simulated exercises, studies and tests in the PAE approval process are also items in Minas Gerais legislation, and also in federal legislation.

INTEGRATION BETWEEN PUBLIC AUTHORITY AND ENTREPRENEURS: WORKING TOGETHER FOR SAFETY

The Global Industry Standard for Tailings Management brings several principles that reinforce the importance of working together in preparedness, mitigation, response and recovery actions involving tailings disposal structures. We highlight the main principles to this end. PRINCIPLE 2 - Develop and maintain an interdisciplinary knowledge base to support safe tailings management throughout the entire life cycle of tailings disposal structures, including in the closure phase. REQUIREMENT 11.3 - Establish mechanisms that promote cross-functional collaboration to ensure effective data and knowledge sharing, effective communication, and proper implementation of management measures to support public safety and the integrity of tailings disposal structures. PRINCIPLE 13 - Prepare for emergency response to failures in tailings disposal structures. REQUIREMENT 14.1 Based on scenarios of possible flood stains due to ruptures of tailings disposal structures and the assessment of their possible consequences, take reasonable steps to meaningfully engage public agencies and other organizations that would participate in medium- and long-term social and environmental strategies to respond to failures. PRINCIPLE 15 - Publicly disclose and provide access to information on tailings disposal structures to support public accountability and accountability.

PAEBM OPERATIONALITY: ALERT MODELS, PROCESSES AND TECHNOLOGIES

Since September 2010, based on Federal Law No. 12,334, mining companies have had to structure themselves internally to meet dam safety standards, in order to reduce the possibility of accidents and their consequences. In 2013, through DNPM Ordinance 526, the PAEBM is regulated for the first time in Brazil. Several changes have been made over time in this area in the legislation, at the state level in Minas Gerais and at the federal level. ANM Resolution No. 95 establishes for entrepreneurs: Perform the Conformity and Operability Assessment of the PAEBM – ACO; Prepare the PAEBM – RCO Compliance and Operability Report; Issue the Declaration of Conformity and Operability of the PAEBM – DCO; Conducting Emergency Situation Drills. The provision for the installation of an audible warning system, capable of alerting and enabling the rescue of populations likely to be directly affected by the flood spot, as well as specific measures to rescue those affected, people and animals, mitigate environmental impacts, ensure the supply of drinking water to affected communities and rescue and safeguard cultural heritage are elements of these documents.