Abstract
As the global demand for copper increases to support the transition to cleaner energies, the mining industry looks to large low-grade porphyry deposits to meet the rising demand. This type of operation generates large tonnages of tailings solids at high rates to maintain project economics, which require storage in larger and larger tailings facilities. Often these tailings facilities occupy a large portion of the mine and require large quantities of fill materials to construct the containment dams for retention of conventional or thickened tailings slurries. How then can miners balance the impacts of these construction needs with the fight against climate change? How does sustainability factor into dam designs and tailings management practices? This paper will explore the perspective of sustainability in tailings dam design and construction as it relates to corporate governance and decision making. The authors will examine these aspects in the context of the Mining Association of Canada’s (MAC) Towards Sustainable Mining (TSM) protocols related to tailings management, water management, and greenhouse gas emissions using a case study of a large operating copper mine in British Columbia.