Dam collapse in Brazil forces new rules for miners

In January, a dam collapsed at the Valais mine in Corrego do Feijo, killing about 300 people.

The International Council on Mining and Metals (ICMM), a London-based industry group representing 27 major companies, said on Tuesday that it will create an independent expert group responsible for developing a global standard for tailings that its members will follow.

The set of rules will be based on an overview of industry best practices, including key aspects such as a global, transparent impact-based tailings classification system with specific requirements for each level.

The standard would also establish a framework for credible, independent reviews of TMFs as well as emergency planning and preparedness requirements.

“While the standard will become a member's commitment, the ICMM will encourage others to join us and advocate for its wider application,” the document says.

Only three countries in the world prohibit the construction of dams in the upper reaches - Chile, Peru, and now Brazil. Chile, the world's No. 1 copper producer, also regulates minimum distances between dams and urban centers. But the country still has 740 tailings, only 101 of which are active and the rest abandoned or inactive, according to the Sernageomin mining agency.

The next step for ICMM is to engage representatives from civil society, communities, industry, investors and multilateral organizations to define a detailed scope of the review, which is expected to be completed by the end of the year.