TRANSFORMING MINING:
TAILING PROGRAM
Our goal is to turn Chile into a leader when managing transparently information on tailings performance, producing vital decision-making information.
Tailings Program, “Programa Tranque”, is a public-private collaborative initiative seeking to contribute with safe and reliable tailings deposits operations. It develops tools to improve monitoring of the physical stability and potential impact on the surrounding waters, providing quality and timely information to authorities, mining companies, and communities. It improves communication between parties as well as the response to emergency situations.
This is done through a Global Monitoring System (GMS) that captures, processes, integrates, and communicates timely and reliable information from the tailings deposits which are connected through Local Monitoring Systems (LMSs) to the Central Monitoring System operated by SERNAGEOMIN (the Chilean National Geology and Mining Service), also known as the National Observatory of Tailings Deposits (NOTD). The NOTD communicates information to the communities surrounding these facilities; and it will allow proactive management of said important mining facilities.
The scope is to develop, transfer, and implement -in a productive environment- the GMS at SERNAGEOMIN, and one of Local Monitoring System (LMS), corresponding to the full-scale implementation, at Minera Los Pelambres’ El Mauro.
Tailings Program is a public asset co-financed by CORFO and the Chilean mining sector represented by AMSA, BHP, MLP, CODELCO, and Anglo American.
Chile is the third country in the world with the largest number of tailings deposits, totaling 757 in 2022.
THE CHALLENGES WE FACE
Chile has a total of 757 tailings deposits.
Active deposits
Inactive deposits
Abandoned
Under construction
- Tailings deposits are dynamic and increasingly large facilities, built to last permanently.
- They coexist alongside communities as well as other land uses.
- These facilities face challenges related to climatic and geographic conditions.
- They are a source of concern for the communities regarding their stability and safety.
- They can break down, generating adverse consequences for the entire ecosystem.
- They are vital to ensure the operational continuity of the mining industry.
- In addition to the above, by 2026, more than 915 million tons per year will be produced, an increase of 74% in tailings generation compared to 2014.
- In this context, it is essential to develop solutions that strengthen the management of tailings deposits, to improve the control of their performance and thus their relationship with the environment in which they are inserted, promoting an industry that applies world-class sustainable practices.
Tailings Program has contributed to the development of public policies:
National Mning Policy 2050
Establishes that by 2030, 100% of the tailings deposits from large and medium mining operations must have an Integral Monitoring Plan and report their information on physical and chemical stability directly to Sernageomin through the Global Monitoring System that is being developed by the Tailings Program
Guidelines that made mandatory monitoring surrounding Waters
The Superintendence of the Environment published the instruction allowing in Chile the environmental surveillance of waters in active tailings deposits, which is based on the EMAC standards for monitoring and evaluating the surrounding waters, developed by the Tailings Program
The National Tailings Deposits Plan created the National Observatory of Tailings Deposits
Based on the tools developed by the Tailings Program (Global Monitoring Platform for tailings deposits, monitoring standards for surrounding waters and physical stability)
The Tranque Program is based on a close collaboration model with over 20 public and private institutions. This model is exportable to other sectors
BENEFICIARIES
Communities
Transparent information to communities, fostering trust and coordination in the event of potential emergencies
Public Sector
It will reinforce Sernageomin’s control activities through the online Monitoring Platform created by the Program. It generates reliable and timely information, key for decision-making.
Water and Terrestrial Ecosystems
Prevents the occurrence of possible emergencies that could have an impact on ecosystems and biodiversity
Mining Companies
Ensures operational continuity, improves stakeholder relations. Strengthens internal governance of tailings deposits.
Based on the tools developed by the Tranque Program (Global Monitoring Platform for tailings deposits, monitoring standards for surrounding waters and physical stability)
Program’s Roadmap
Our commitment is global. This initiative contributes to:
9.Industry, Innovation anf Infrastructure
17.Partnerships for the goals
