ICMM has published its Tailings Progress Report, which shows that 67 per cent of its member facilities have reached full conformance with the Global Industry Standard on Tailings Management (GISTM). GISTM was developed in collaboration between ICMM, Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI) and the United Nations Environment Programme and launched in August 2020.  

The report, released on Nov. 4, provides a comprehensive snapshot of members’ progress towards full conformance with the GISTM by August 2025, when all ICMM members had to disclose the status of each of their tailings facilities.  

Out of a total of 836 tailings facilities managed by ICMM members, 33 per cent remain in partial conformance. 

According to the report, achieving full alignment across all facilities has proven more complex and time intensive than anticipated. 

“The GISTM sets a very high bar, and its implementation isn’t a quick or simple process,” said Emma Gagen, ICMM’s director of data and research in email statements to CIM Magazine. “It takes sustained effort over time from multidisciplinary teams and experts, and not every requirement can be progressed in parallel.” 

Stronger progress at high-risk facilities  

ICMM members have made the greatest strides at facilities with the highest potential downstream consequences in the event of a failure. Over 80 per cent of facilities classified as “extreme” or “very high” consequence are now in full conformance with the GISTM.  

In comparison, conformance rates among facilities with “high,” “significant” or “low” consequence classifications currently range between 53 and 65 per cent. 

“The starting point for developing the GISTM was that extreme consequences to people and the environment from catastrophic tailings facility failures were unacceptable,” Gagen said.  

“Prioritizing facilities that would have the greatest consequences in the event of a failure reflects our focus on implementing appropriate design standards, operational controls and emergency preparedness measures for those facilities.” 

System-level change 

ICMM has said implementation of the GISTM has driven “system-level change” across its membership and is significantly reshaping how tailings facilities are managed and governed. 

“Implementing the GISTM has already led to major improvements in tailings engineering, management and governance,” Gagen noted. “It has raised tailings management to the highest levels of company oversight and accountability, while also encouraging greater transparency, collaboration and meaningful engagement with stakeholders.” 

Some member companies are already developing frameworks to strengthen social and environmental integration into tailings governance. Rio Tinto, for example, has introduced a tailings engagement framework to help operators better understand the social context of their facilities. 

“The GISTM also encourages operators to consider feasible technologies in the design of new, and expansions to existing, tailings facilities,” added Gagen. “One technology development example is a trial that Freeport McMoRan is conducting at its Sierrita mine to improve the understanding of mine waste management that uses a ‘commingled’ mixture of tailings and waste rock.” 

Looking ahead, Gagen emphasized that achieving full conformance with the GISTM is not the endpoint, but part of an ongoing process of continuous improvement. 

“Even maintaining conformance once it’s been achieved demands routine review and regular updates,” she said. “Successful outcomes will be built not only on unwavering long-term commitment by companies, but also close collaboration between the industry, its financers, governments, civil society and communities local to sites.”