Abstract
Despite CEO level attention and increased investments in monitoring technology, accidents continue to occur in dams deemed as safe. The Brumadinho accident revealed that investments in high-tech monitoring alone are not enough and that the greatest challenge is not just identifying technologies that matter, but bringing sites along for the journey. Based on work across Tier 1 miners, including with Vale Base Metals, we will present and propose an integrated approach to technology scanning and prioritization and a needs-based site assessments that results in operating-level roadmaps to prioritize and mitigate critical risks. This approach is new to the Mining industry but derived from learnings from other industries. We will share a model for the future which will impact both how Tailings Dams are monitored and how they are managed, including advancements in monitoring, sensing and modeling and our approach to bring the entire organization along for the ride through a program that is both aligned with the global standards (best available technology) and sets a foundation for the future.