MechChem Africa May-June 2025

⎪ Minerals processing and materials handling ⎪

role in reshaping how historic mine waste is managed. The MPRDA amendment process has a complex history, beginning with the Mineral and Petroleum Resources Development Bill, 2013 (MPRD Bill 2013). Although the Bill was adopted by Parliament, it was referred back to the National Assembly by the President in 2015 for reconsideration. After years of inactivity, the amendment process regained momentum in August 2024 when the Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources (DMR) presented its rationale for the proposed changes to the MPRDA. A central feature of these amendments is the introduction of Section 42A, which establishes a regulatory framework for the management of historic residue stockpiles and deposits (i.e. TSFs) that pre-date the MPRDA. The amendments introduce tran sitional provisions that enable owners of these TSFs to either amend their existing mining rights or apply for new ones, formally integrating these sites into the MPRDA’s regulatory regime. Should these amend ments be passed and enacted into law, TSFs which were established prior to the MPRDA will be regulated by the MPRDA and any reclamation activities in respect thereof may require a mining right. This shift, while extremely contentious for a whole host of constitutional reasons, aligns with South Africa’s evolving approach to TSFs, recognising them not as waste stor age facilities but as valuable secondary ore bodies. Kind of like how Crocs became cool after no-one wanted to be seen in them! Global standards Global attention on tailings management has intensified following recent internation al disasters. The Jagersfontein incident, as well as failures at Mount Polley in Canada, and at San Marco and Brumadinho in Brazil, have underscored the critical need for care ful management of TSFs. In 2020, the Global Industry Standard on Tailings Management (GISTM) was launched with the vision of achieving the ultimate goal of zero harm to people and the environment with zero tolerance for human fatality. The GISTM represents the first global standard on TSF management and sets a high bar for the mining industry to attain – integrating social, environmental, local economic and technical considerations for every facility. The GISTM comprises the following six pillars: • Affected communities. • Integrated knowledge base. • Design, construction, operation and monitoring of the tailings facility. • Management and governance. • Emergency response and long-term

South Africa, with its vast mining industry, is home to an extensive network of TSFs, some of which are among the largest in the world.

The evolving landscape of TSF management reflects a fundamental shift in how the mining industry views these facilities – from mere waste repositories to valuable resources that demand careful stewardship.

for public consultation. The initiative aims to simplify mining standards and enhance environmental, social and governance prac tices across the mining value chain. A central focus of the CMSI is the responsible management of tailings, with performance measures highlighting risk-based systems aligned with global standards, including the GISTM and the Mining Association of Canada's Tailings Management Protocol. By promoting trans parency, independent audits and public disclosures, the initiative aims to build trust and drive long-term environmental stewardship and sustainable resource development. The evolving landscape of TSF manage ment reflects a fundamental shift in how the mining industry views these facilities – from mere waste repositories to valuable resources that demand careful stewardship. The convergence of South Africa's regula tory reforms, global standards such as the GISTM, and initiatives such as the GTMI and CMSI marks a pivotal moment in the management and use of TSFs. www.nsdv.co.za

recovery. • Public disclosure and access to information. Within these six pillars, the GISTM incor porates 15 Principles and 77 auditable requirements, covering standards and prac tices over the entire TSF lifecycle. The Global Tailings Management Institute (GTMI) was launched on 21 January 2025, founded by CEO-led leader ship organisation ICMM, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the UN-backed Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI) – the same three organisa tions that established the GISTM in 2020. Based in South Africa, the GTMI will oversee independent assessments of TSF compli ance with the GISTM. It provides a platform for sharing best practices and encourages transparency through public disclosure of auditing outcomes. In addition to the GISTM, the Consolidated Mining Standards Initiative (CMSI), supported by partners such as the Copper Mark, ICMM, and the World Gold Council, has released a draft standard, governance model, and assurance process

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