R. (Rafaela) Shinobe Massignan, BSc

The effectiveness of public databases as a tool in risk communication about mine tailings storage facilities

Three major recent disasters of tailings storage facilities (TSFs) – Mount Polley Mine (2014), Fundão Dam (2015) and Córrego do Feijão Mine (2019) – shed light on the need for greater transparency of risk information about TSFs. Following an international review, the Global Industry Standard for Tailings Management was launched in 2020, seeking to strengthen safety and encouraging the establishment of public databases of TSFs. Although such tools enable centralized information to be provided in a standardized way, their content and accessibility must also be considered if they are to be useful to multiple stakeholders. So far, there are no international guidelines for these digital platforms. Therefore, this research aims to answer the research question “How could public databases be improved for risk communication about mine tailings storage facilities?”. As part of the methodology, bibliographic reviews of risk communication and risk factors of TSF's failure sector have already been conducted. This research project also includes a case study about a tailings dam in Brazil. One expected outcome of major relevance is developing recommendations for good practices for setting the content, accessibility, and credibility for public databases of TSFs.