14 Risk Assessment for the Twenty-First Century
201
• Updatable means that at any time the values of probabilities and consequences
(Sect. 10.1.2) as well as their respective uncertainties can be made current on the
basis of data as it is obtained, delivering a new risk landscape of the company.
• Drillable means that data can be retrieved using various queries, such as asking
which are the highest (tolerable, intolerable) risks within the company generated
by potential earthquake, or employee dishonesty.
14.1 ISO 31000
The main value of ISO 31000 is to provide a structured basis for the integration
of risk management processes and the establishment of a risk management culture.
With regard to the use of ISO 31000 by mining companies, it should be noted that
this international standard is generic in nature and, for its effective application, expert
advice is required for its adaption and use.
Companies need to establish a transparent corporate standard for the identification,
evaluation and management of TSF risks at each of their mine sites. In addition
to the usual requirements of a corporate risk standard, the standard should also
address the qualifications of the assessment team and require the implementation of
critical control procedures. It should also provide guidelines to avoid complacency
and conflicts of interest.
The position statement “Preventing catastrophic failure of tailings storage facilities” issued by the International Council on Mining and Metals, makes clear that
enhanced efforts are required to ensure that:
suitably qualified and experienced experts are involved in TSF risk identification and analysis,
as well as in the development and review of effectiveness of the associated controls (ICMM
2016).
Regarding qualifications, the Rio Tinto management system standard states:
Qualitative and quantitative risk analysis must be facilitated by competent personnel and
include personnel with adequate knowledge and experience for the risk being evaluated (Rio
Tinto 2015).
As already hinted earlier, we find the specification should be reworded: nowadays
risk assessment is considered a discipline per se, which requires particular skills and
knowledge. It is not a hobby … or something that can be “facilitated” by someone
who has good knowledge of the hazards.
Furthermore, one of the most important factors is that the lead assessor be fully
qualified to conduct such assessments. Expert knowledge in the design and operation
of TSFs is actually not required, as the lead assessor is primarily required to lead the
process, not be a factor in influencing the outcomes. With regard to the assessment
team, it is important that a range of perspectives and experience be represented
(Sect. 9.1.1) and include the participation of the EOR. What should not be allowed
by the lead assessor is for persons to pull rank or dominate the discussions.
201
• Updatable means that at any time the values of probabilities and consequences
(Sect. 10.1.2) as well as their respective uncertainties can be made current on the
basis of data as it is obtained, delivering a new risk landscape of the company.
• Drillable means that data can be retrieved using various queries, such as asking
which are the highest (tolerable, intolerable) risks within the company generated
by potential earthquake, or employee dishonesty.
14.1 ISO 31000
The main value of ISO 31000 is to provide a structured basis for the integration
of risk management processes and the establishment of a risk management culture.
With regard to the use of ISO 31000 by mining companies, it should be noted that
this international standard is generic in nature and, for its effective application, expert
advice is required for its adaption and use.
Companies need to establish a transparent corporate standard for the identification,
evaluation and management of TSF risks at each of their mine sites. In addition
to the usual requirements of a corporate risk standard, the standard should also
address the qualifications of the assessment team and require the implementation of
critical control procedures. It should also provide guidelines to avoid complacency
and conflicts of interest.
The position statement “Preventing catastrophic failure of tailings storage facilities” issued by the International Council on Mining and Metals, makes clear that
enhanced efforts are required to ensure that:
suitably qualified and experienced experts are involved in TSF risk identification and analysis,
as well as in the development and review of effectiveness of the associated controls (ICMM
2016).
Regarding qualifications, the Rio Tinto management system standard states:
Qualitative and quantitative risk analysis must be facilitated by competent personnel and
include personnel with adequate knowledge and experience for the risk being evaluated (Rio
Tinto 2015).
As already hinted earlier, we find the specification should be reworded: nowadays
risk assessment is considered a discipline per se, which requires particular skills and
knowledge. It is not a hobby … or something that can be “facilitated” by someone
who has good knowledge of the hazards.
Furthermore, one of the most important factors is that the lead assessor be fully
qualified to conduct such assessments. Expert knowledge in the design and operation
of TSFs is actually not required, as the lead assessor is primarily required to lead the
process, not be a factor in influencing the outcomes. With regard to the assessment
team, it is important that a range of perspectives and experience be represented
(Sect. 9.1.1) and include the participation of the EOR. What should not be allowed
by the lead assessor is for persons to pull rank or dominate the discussions.