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5 What the Public Wants; Public Reactions
ethics with the other aspects), we see that it is indeed possible to develop procedures to
abide to General Ethics. A scalable, drillable, updatable, convergent risk assessment
methodology has the necessary qualities to support Ethics. Classic 4 × 4 or 5 × 5
risk matrix approaches (FMEAs, PIGs) do not have those qualities and contribute to
create and maintain blind spots (https://www.riskope.com/2018/01/10/what-is-thevalidity-of-your-risk-forecast/#_blank).
It has been reported (Radford 2009) that a group of Australian architects
(Williamson, Radford and Bennets, University of Adelaide) have shown how they can
apply the theory of responsive cohesion in the conception, design and construction
of architectural systems. They apply the theory of responsive cohesion to buildings.
We can envision the day where we will design large infrastructure projects, mining
operations as responsive cohesive systems, thus fostering General Ethics.
The principle of cohesive response entails responding to ecological, social and
built contexts in that order of priority. Then such a project will create sustainable
value. It will require a significant reorganization of the design workflow. Projects
will start with risk assessments and environmental impacts evaluations and then
investigate and solve technical aspects.
5.5.2 Ethics and Tailings Risk Assessment
New tailings management approaches have to marry the requirements presented in the
UNEP report mentioned previously, “Mine Tailings Storage: Safety Is No Accident”
(Roche et al. 2017) while offering unparalleled support to independent risk assessors.
The UNEP report identifies its requirement in distinct ways, by stating, for example:
“Establish independent waste review boards to conduct and publish independent
technical reviews prior to, during construction or modification, and throughout the
lifespan of tailings storage facilities.”
The report then adds:
• “Ensure any project assessment or expansion publishes all externalized costs,
with an independent life-of-mine sustainability cost-benefit analysis.” Including,
of course the risks.
• “Require detailed and ongoing evaluations of potential failure modes, residual
risks and perpetual management costs of tailings storage facilities.”
• “Reduce risk of dam failure by providing independent expert oversight” done
by independent risk assessor to maintain good and unbiased oversight. This will
“ensure best practice in tailings management, monitoring and rehabilitation”.
The independent risk assessor will ensure a drastic reduction of conflict of interest and the delivery of unbiased risk reports based on facts provided by modern
monitoring techniques and transparent inclusion of uncertainties in the risk analyses. New tailings management approaches should deliver unbiased data interpreted
using auditable rules, transparent risk registers. All requirements of UNEP will be
met.
5 What the Public Wants; Public Reactions
ethics with the other aspects), we see that it is indeed possible to develop procedures to
abide to General Ethics. A scalable, drillable, updatable, convergent risk assessment
methodology has the necessary qualities to support Ethics. Classic 4 × 4 or 5 × 5
risk matrix approaches (FMEAs, PIGs) do not have those qualities and contribute to
create and maintain blind spots (https://www.riskope.com/2018/01/10/what-is-thevalidity-of-your-risk-forecast/#_blank).
It has been reported (Radford 2009) that a group of Australian architects
(Williamson, Radford and Bennets, University of Adelaide) have shown how they can
apply the theory of responsive cohesion in the conception, design and construction
of architectural systems. They apply the theory of responsive cohesion to buildings.
We can envision the day where we will design large infrastructure projects, mining
operations as responsive cohesive systems, thus fostering General Ethics.
The principle of cohesive response entails responding to ecological, social and
built contexts in that order of priority. Then such a project will create sustainable
value. It will require a significant reorganization of the design workflow. Projects
will start with risk assessments and environmental impacts evaluations and then
investigate and solve technical aspects.
5.5.2 Ethics and Tailings Risk Assessment
New tailings management approaches have to marry the requirements presented in the
UNEP report mentioned previously, “Mine Tailings Storage: Safety Is No Accident”
(Roche et al. 2017) while offering unparalleled support to independent risk assessors.
The UNEP report identifies its requirement in distinct ways, by stating, for example:
“Establish independent waste review boards to conduct and publish independent
technical reviews prior to, during construction or modification, and throughout the
lifespan of tailings storage facilities.”
The report then adds:
• “Ensure any project assessment or expansion publishes all externalized costs,
with an independent life-of-mine sustainability cost-benefit analysis.” Including,
of course the risks.
• “Require detailed and ongoing evaluations of potential failure modes, residual
risks and perpetual management costs of tailings storage facilities.”
• “Reduce risk of dam failure by providing independent expert oversight” done
by independent risk assessor to maintain good and unbiased oversight. This will
“ensure best practice in tailings management, monitoring and rehabilitation”.
The independent risk assessor will ensure a drastic reduction of conflict of interest and the delivery of unbiased risk reports based on facts provided by modern
monitoring techniques and transparent inclusion of uncertainties in the risk analyses. New tailings management approaches should deliver unbiased data interpreted
using auditable rules, transparent risk registers. All requirements of UNEP will be
met.