This guide is the result of many months of deliberation by a 22-member team of mining industry specialists and practitioners. We are extremely grateful to the team members and their corporate sponsors for their generosity, skill and dedication in responding to this difficult challenge.
In keeping with MAC’s commitment to continual improvement and sustainable development, the guide reflects the principles embodied in the association’s Environmental Policy and Towards Sustainable Mining draft Guiding Principles, and complements its forerunner, A Guide to the Management of Tailings Facilities. Like the management guide, it encourages mining companies to practise safe and environmentally responsible management of tailings and water management facilities; however, this guide does so by focusing on the need for a site-specific operation, maintenance and surveillance (OMS) manual as an integral component of an overall tailings management system. Such a document can help companies comply with government regulation and corporate policy, demonstrate voluntary self-regulation and due diligence, practise continual improvement, and protect employees, the environment and the public.
The guide reflects principles and practices from a variety of sources. It addresses sitespecific issues in a practical manner, reflecting the priorities of owners, managers and practitioners whose job it is to continually improve the performance of the mining industry in Canada and abroad.
