Tailings management is one of the most serious and sensitive issues in the mining industry. It connects directly to the safety of people, the protection of the environment, and the long-term sustainability of mining operations. Tailings are what remain after valuable minerals are separated from the ore. These leftover materials are usually stored in large containment areas called tailings storage facilities or tailings dams. If these structures fail, the results can be catastrophic—causing loss of life, environmental pollution, and the loss of public trust in mining. Because of this, responsible companies and organizations like the International Council on Mining and Metals (ICMM) have created strong principles and guidance to make sure tailings are managed safely, respectfully, and transparently. ICMM’s “Mining with Principles” framework includes Tailings Management as a key commitment. Its goal is to make sure that all mining companies design, construct, operate, and close tailings storage facilities in a way that protects communities and the environment throughout their entire life cycle. The framework is built around respect—for people, for nature, and for the future. It focuses on continuous improvement, risk management, and learning from past failures. One of its major principles is that safety must never be compromised for profit or convenience. Every tailings dam, no matter its size or location, must be managed to the highest possible standard. The first important part of ICMM’s tailings approach is governance. This means that responsibility for tailings safety starts at the highest level of a company—the board and senior management. ICMM encourages companies to have clear accountability and decision-making systems for tailings facilities. The principle says that tailings risks must be treated with the same seriousness as other major business risks. This ensures that executives are aware of the conditions of every tailings facility and that safety decisions are based on sound engineering and data, not just cost or production pressure. The ICMM also asks companies to use independent reviews, audits, and qualified engineers to check the stability and performance of every facility regularly. Another essential part is risk-based design and operation. Tailings facilities are not all the same. Some are very large, holding hundreds of millions of tonnes of waste; others are small and located in remote areas. The risk level depends on factors such as the height of the dam, the amount of water it contains, the type of materials used for construction, the climate, and the local geology. ICMM recommends that every facility be designed and operated based on a detailed understanding of these risks. For example, in areas with heavy rainfall or earthquakes, engineers must plan for extreme events. They must use conservative safety factors and have clear emergency response plans. ICMM’s principles also require continuous monitoring and the use of new technology. Many companies are now using drones, satellite images, and sensors to monitor tailings dams in real time. This makes it possible to detect early signs of movement, seepage, or pressure changes before they become serious. For example, many modern mines use piezometers—small instruments that measure water pressure inside the dam walls—to monitor how water is behaving. If the pressure increases, it might indicate that the dam is under stress. Early detection allows the company to take quick actions such as lowering water levels or reinforcing the dam wall before any danger develops. Transparency and community engagement are also key elements of ICMM’s tailings management principle. In the past, many communities living near mines were not informed about the risks of tailings dams. When disasters happened, they often had no warning or knowledge about what to do. The ICMM has emphasized that this is not acceptable. Mining companies must be open with local people and regulators about the design, monitoring results, and risk level of each tailings facility. They must also involve the community in emergency planning. This builds trust and ensures that everyone knows how to act in case of an incident. Many ICMM members now publish detailed reports on their tailings facilities, including location, type, construction method, and risk level. One of the strongest outcomes of ICMM’s commitment to tailings safety was the development of the Global Industry Standard on Tailings Management (GISTM). This standard was launched in 2020 by ICMM together with the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI). The GISTM sets a very high bar for safety, requiring zero harm to people and the environment. It includes 15 principles covering the entire life cycle of tailings—from design to closure. Every ICMM member company has committed to implement this standard across all tailings facilities, starting with those that have the highest risk. The implementation deadline for high-risk facilities was August 2023, and for all others by August 2025. The GISTM goes beyond technical rules. It requires a culture of safety and ethics. It says that companies must develop organizational culture where workers, engineers, and managers feel empowered to report concerns without fear. It encourages leadership that listens and learns, not just manages. It also calls for “independent review boards” for high-risk facilities—groups of external experts who can give honest advice and oversight. This is a big step forward compared to the past when many tailings facilities were designed and managed without external supervision. Learning from past disasters is another area where ICMM’s principles play a role. Tragic tailings dam failures in Brazil (Samarco in 2015 and Brumadinho in 2019) and Canada (Mount Polley in 2014) showed what happens when safety, design, and governance fail. These disasters caused deaths, destroyed ecosystems, and left deep scars in communities. They also taught the mining world that safety systems must be proactive, not reactive. ICMM’s work since those events has aimed to make sure that such tragedies never happen again. By applying lessons from those cases—like the importance of dry stacking, proper drainage, and independent oversight—the industry is moving toward safer and more sustainable practices. Dry stacking is one of the modern technologies encouraged by ICMM. Instead of keeping tailings as liquid slurry behind a dam, they are filtered to remove most of the water and then stacked in a dense, dry form. This method reduces the risk of catastrophic failure because there is little or no free water that could cause a collapse. It also makes closure and reclamation easier. However, it requires investment and space, which not all mines have. Still, ICMM and other organizations encourage its adoption whenever practical because it represents a safer and more responsible approach to waste management. Environmental protection during and after mine operation is also part of responsible tailings management. When a mine closes, the tailings facility must be safely sealed, covered, and monitored for many years to ensure that contaminants do not enter rivers, groundwater, or soil. ICMM promotes integrated mine closure planning from the start of the project—not waiting until the end. The goal is to restore the land so it can be safely used again, maybe as a natural habitat, forest, or even for other economic purposes. This long-term view is part of what makes tailings management sustainable. In addition to technical and environmental safety, ICMM recognizes the social aspect of tailings. Communities near mines have the right to live without fear of dam failure or contamination. Respect for human rights, fair communication, and cooperation with local authorities are key. Many ICMM companies are now conducting social impact assessments, public consultations, and transparent risk communication meetings to ensure that people are fully informed and part of the decision-making process. Financial assurance is another element tied to responsible tailings management. The ICMM believes that companies must be financially prepared to maintain and close their facilities properly, even if the mine stops operating. This prevents situations where abandoned sites become public hazards. Governments also have a role in setting and enforcing strong regulations. Cooperation between companies, regulators, and communities creates a safer and more stable system. The ICMM “Mining with Principles” approach transforms tailings from a technical challenge into a moral responsibility. It reminds everyone that safety, transparency, and respect must guide all decisions. The future of mining depends not only on how much metal we produce but on how responsibly we manage what we leave behind. With the application of ICMM’s principles and the Global Industry Standard on Tailings Management, the mining sector is moving toward a culture of zero harm, continuous improvement, and global trust. In simple words, good tailings management means more than just building a strong dam. It means caring for people, respecting the land, and making sure that the mistakes of the past are never repeated. It is about using science, technology, and ethics together. It means that every engineer, operator, and manager has a duty to protect life and nature. When mining companies follow ICMM’s tailings management principles, they show that mining can be both productive and responsible. This is the true meaning of sustainable mining—producing resources that the world needs, while protecting the planet and its people for future generations.