Where mineral waste is contained in a slurry form, Iluka utilises engineered tailings storage facilities (TSFs) either within mine voids or off-path storage. Mineral wastes stored in TSFs include clay fines, sand tails, co-disposal (sand and clay) tailings, and tailings from mineral separation and synthetic rutile plants.
Mining tailings failures around the globe have reinforced the efforts mining companies must make to ensure best practice tailings management. We recognise
the potential risks TSFs present to our people, our communities and the environment and we are committed to the safe and responsible management of our TSFs.
We take a risk-based approach to the management of our TSFs, none of which are currently constructed using upstream raised methods. All of Iluka’s TSFs are constructed using downstream method or final height embankment, and are managed in accordance with ANCOLD guidelines which include internal and external risk management protocols. Internal risk management protocols include risk focused surveillance systems/processes, internal geotechnical risk reporting and tailings/water management focus meetings. Geotechnical auditing of TSFs is undertaken by internationally reputable geotechnical specialists and forms part of Iluka’s external risk management protocol.
During 2019, Iluka contributed to the Investor Mining and Tailings Safety Initiative, an investor led engagement to enable a better understanding of the scale of social and financial risks associated with tailings storage facilities. Iluka’s response Tailings Management Overview is available on our website www.iluka.com and information stored in the Global Tailings Portal.
The Global Tailings Portal, launched in January 2020, is a free, searchable database with detailed information on more than 1,900 mine tailings dams around the world. It enables users to sort data about tailings dams by location, company, dam type, height, volume and risk, among other factors. The data was submitted
by approximately 100 of the world’s largest mining companies, including Iluka.
The portal was built and is hosted by GRID-Arendal in collaboration with the Investor Mining and Tailings Safety Initiative, which is co-chaired by the Church of England Pensions Board and the Swedish National Pension Funds' Council on Ethics, with support from the UN Environment Programme.
Each of our operations manages its waste in accordance with its Waste Management Plan. We have non-hazardous waste streams – such as cardboard, glass and plastic which is recycled – and general household waste which is diverted to landfill. Hazardous waste generated by our operations includes oil, tyres, batteries and hydrocarbon contaminated waste. We have systems in place to ensure that all hazardous waste is appropriately managed on site, then transported by waste transport companies to licensed and approved facilities off-site.