Chapter 6
Justifying the Need for New Approaches
This chapter draws the conclusions from the documents of the prior Chapters and
shows why new approaches are indeed needed for Twenty-first century tailings dams
management.
The topics in this chapter are presented to provide an understanding of the need
for the identification and application of those advanced risk assessment and risk
management methodologies required to support the strategic intent leading to “zero
failures”.
In particular, our purpose here is to describe and build on the insights provided by
the reports of recent system failures described in earlier chapters, industry responses
and other perspectives in order to identify those areas where the application of
advanced risk-assessment methodologies can contribute to significant improvements
in the performance of tailings management systems. The first step will be achieved
by looking at the hazards that were unique to the moment of each accident and to
identify those aspects of the systems that allow those causal factors to exist in the first
place. From this analysis, supported by the perspectives provided by industry organizations and others, it will possible to identify the key areas where decisions during all
stages of design, construction, operation and closure must be informed by a rigorous
and disciplined approach utilizing advanced risk assessments methodologies.
6.1 Mount Polley Panel: Lesson Learned
The findings, observations, comments and recommendations provided by the Panel’s
report (Sect. 2.1) establish a solid basis for the identification of the type of decisions
and approaches that must be developed for application on a broader scale in order to
significantly advance the performance of tailings storage facilities.
© Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2020
F. Oboni and C. Oboni, Tailings Dam Management for the Twenty-First Century,
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-19447-5_6
65
Justifying the Need for New Approaches
This chapter draws the conclusions from the documents of the prior Chapters and
shows why new approaches are indeed needed for Twenty-first century tailings dams
management.
The topics in this chapter are presented to provide an understanding of the need
for the identification and application of those advanced risk assessment and risk
management methodologies required to support the strategic intent leading to “zero
failures”.
In particular, our purpose here is to describe and build on the insights provided by
the reports of recent system failures described in earlier chapters, industry responses
and other perspectives in order to identify those areas where the application of
advanced risk-assessment methodologies can contribute to significant improvements
in the performance of tailings management systems. The first step will be achieved
by looking at the hazards that were unique to the moment of each accident and to
identify those aspects of the systems that allow those causal factors to exist in the first
place. From this analysis, supported by the perspectives provided by industry organizations and others, it will possible to identify the key areas where decisions during all
stages of design, construction, operation and closure must be informed by a rigorous
and disciplined approach utilizing advanced risk assessments methodologies.
6.1 Mount Polley Panel: Lesson Learned
The findings, observations, comments and recommendations provided by the Panel’s
report (Sect. 2.1) establish a solid basis for the identification of the type of decisions
and approaches that must be developed for application on a broader scale in order to
significantly advance the performance of tailings storage facilities.
© Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2020
F. Oboni and C. Oboni, Tailings Dam Management for the Twenty-First Century,
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-19447-5_6
65