NEWS FROM THE GROUP CEO

Why mining companies must prioritise sustainable Tailings Management.

As the CEO, Doctor Motswadire of a specialist tailings dam operation and management company in South Africa, I am deeply concerned by the recent failures of tailings dams, including the Brumadinho disaster (2019) and the Sino Metals collapse in Zambia (2025). These tragedies highlight the devastating consequences of poor oversight, environmental destruction, water contamination, and human suffering.

Tailings storage facilities are an inherent part of mining, but their management defines whether they pose a risk or uphold responsible practices. The recent Sino Metals disaster, which polluted the Mwambashi River and cut water supplies to 500,000 people, was not just an engineering failure, it was a corporate failure. Such incidents must not be accepted as collateral damage but recognised as preventable consequences of negligence.

The International Council on Mining and Metals (ICMM) has set global standards for tailings dam management, but compliance remains voluntary. While some major players, including South African companies, follow these guidelines, two-thirds of the industry remains unregulated. This uneven commitment allows irresponsible operators to prioritise profit over safety, risking more failures that undermine public trust and invite stricter regulations.

Regulatory gaps, weak governance, and corruption further threaten safety. The recent suspension of the U.S Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) weakens global anti-bribery efforts, increasing the risk of regulatory loopholes in mining jurisdictions. If safety measures become negotiable rather than enforceable, more disasters will follow.

The transition to renewable energy relies heavily on mining metals like copper, lithium, cobalt, rare earth minerals, etc. However, the rush to secure these resources must not come at the cost of environmental and human safety. The irony is clear, sustainability efforts should not lead to more ecological destruction.

Good tailings dam management is not just a regulatory obligation; it is a moral imperative. A single failure can devastate communities, ecosystems, and a company's reputation. The costs of safety, monitoring, and innovation in tailings storage are far outweighed by the risks of inaction.

The recent disasters should serve as a wake-up call. As industry leaders, we must strengthen regulatory frameworks, confront corruption, and prioritise safety over short-term gains. Only through proactive leadership and unwavering commitment can we prevent future tragedies and ensure mining remains a responsible enabler of global progress.

Doctor Motswadire, CEO