ICMM releases updated guidance to strengthen approaches to the closure of tailings storage facilities
London, UK – Today, ICMM has published new editions of key resources, with updates designed to improve how mining companies plan and manage the closure of tailings storage facilities.
The Tailings Management Good Practice Guide (2nd edition) and Integrated Mine Closure Good Practice Guide (3rd edition) introduce enhanced strategies for integrating tailings management and mine closure processes. These updates reflect the latest industry knowledge and guide companies to strengthen the governance and long-term stability of closed facilities.
The closure of tailings storage facilities is one of the most complex, longest and resource-intensive phases within a mine’s lifecycle. It requires extensive environmental assessments, long-term monitoring, rehabilitation and maintenance strategies to manage safety, environmental and social risks. ICMM’s approach emphasises early planning, strong governance and progressive closure activities to support delivery of positive outcomes for both ecosystems and local communities.
Closure is a critical phase of every mining or metals processing operation and presents an opportunity to strengthen environmental, social and economic resilience far beyond the mine’s life cycle. Achieving these positive outcomes hinges on early planning and progressive closure approaches – especially for tailings storage facilities, where risks can extend long after operations cease.
“ICMM’s updated tailings management and integrated mine closure guidance will help companies to continually learn and improve, raising the bar on safety and environmental stewardship across the sector for decades to come.
The updates support companies in the following areas:
- Developing meaningful success criteria for the closure of a tailings storage facility
- Setting clearer governance structures during closure and post-closure stages
- Improving integration of closure considerations into tailings storage facility design and operation
ICMM remains committed to fostering collaboration and shared learning across the mining industry. These updated guidance documents are designed to support member commitments on tailings management and mine closure, but also to advance sustainable practices across the broader industry. They are free and available to all on the ICMM website.
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Notes to editors
ICMM’s approach to tailings management
ICMM members have committed to implement the Global Industry Standard on Tailings Management (GISTM), developed through a multi stakeholder process between ICMM, the United Nations Environment Programme and Principles for Responsible Investment and published in August 2020. ICMM has developed Conformance Protocols to assess members’ progress on implementing the Standard in May 2021 and published the Tailings Management Good Practice Guide (1st edition) in May 2021 to promote good governance and engineering practices that support continuous improvement in the management of new and existing tailings storage facilities, and to strengthen the ‘safety culture’ within companies. In August 2023, ICMM member companies disclosed their progress in implementing the GISTM.
ICMM’s updated Tailings Management Good Practice Guide (2nd edition), published in February 2025, provides further support for practitioners in closing tailings storage facilities.
ICMM’s approach to closure
ICMM members have committed to plan and design for mine closure in consultation with relevant authorities and stakeholders, implement measures to address closure-related environmental and social aspects, and make financial provision to enable agreed closure and post-closure commitments to be.
ICMM’s Integrated Closure Good Practice Guide (2nd edition) was published in 2019 to improve companies’ integrated approach to planning for closure. It uses a risk and opportunity-based process to guide the practitioner through the iterative process of planning for final and progressive closure, as well as tactics for considering sudden or temporary closure.
ICMM’s updated Integrated Mine Closure Good Practice Guide (3rd edition), published in February 2025, provides further support for practitioners to operationalise integrated closure approaches to tailings storage facilities.
About ICMM
ICMM stands for mining with principles. We bring together a third of the global mining and metals industry, along with key partners to drive leadership, action and innovation for sustainable development, ultimately delivering a positive contribution to society. Through collaboration, ICMM member companies set the standard for responsibly produced minerals and metals in a safe, just and sustainable world.
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