Mining investment dynamics in a growing Africa and the Middle East mining industry are driving a more structured and risk-sensitive approach to tailings storage facility (TSF) management, says consultancy SLR Consulting principal tailings engineer Mohammed Sabi.

Tailings management is rapidly shifting from a compliance-driven requirement to a central strategic risk consideration, owing to the associated long-term risks.

“TSFs are increasingly viewed not merely as engineering structures but [also] critical determinants of project bankability; environment, social and governance (ESG) alignment; and long-term operational sustainability,” adds Sabi.

TSFs often represent significant long-term risks for mining companies and could, therefore, negatively affect investor confidence and financial institutions’ willingness to invest.

He elaborates that, as TSF and tailings handling performance influence overall mining project confidence throughout the life-of-mine, it becomes crucial for mine operators to manage these risks decisively and effectively.

If there is uncertainty regarding TSF stability, closure strategy or governance oversight, that uncertainty translates directly into investment risk, and should a TSF risk be perceived as unmanaged or poorly structured, it can influence funding timelines and conditions.

“The key is demonstrating structured governance and life-cycle planning. The biggest mistake companies can make is treating tailings as a downstream technical item rather than core infrastructure. When it is integrated early and approached as strategic infrastructure, outcomes improve significantly.”

Sabi further emphasises that early integration of TSF planning is crucial for optimising project design and managing associated risks, as ESG and governance requirements are elevating third-party scrutiny, and demanding clear accountability and transparency from the outset of mine projects.

The integration of TSF planning into project development at the prefeasibility stage includes due consideration to site selection, water balance levels, storage methodology and closure philosophy. Here, early planning integration also ensures optimised capital allocation, he adds.

Cooperation is Key

Regarding early TSF integration planning, multidisciplinary collaboration among consultants, mine operations and external parties – such as independent reviewers, as well as engineering, procurement and construction management contractors – is essential for improving tailings safety and TSF performance, especially given the complex nature of tailings systems, recommends Sabi.

Modern TSF management also demands cross-departmental collaboration among geotechnical experts, hydrological experts and environmental and operational functions in organisations, to reduce “blind spots” and to improve the resilience of TSF operations and management.

Moreover, Sabi says modern TSF management has evolved to leverage advanced technology for better monitoring, citing a noted increase in the implementation of technologies such as vibrating-wire piezometers, aerial drones and advanced sensors to allow for the real-time reporting of TSF metrics. This provides a platform from which TSFs can be continuously understood and increasingly managed safely.

SLR offers related services – from TSF prefeasibility studies to their design, construction and long-term operational monitoring to ensure they comply with regulations over multi-decade lifespans.