Our View

Tailings are normally the largest single residue that the industry produces. Therefore, tailings facilities are very important financially and environmentally.

The likelihood of a serious problem arising from a modern tailings and heap leach facility is normally low. However, if a problem does arise, the consequences can be severe. Recent history shows that even well-designed facilities can fail if they are not properly operated and maintained.

Wherever WMC operates, there are legal requirements for constructing and managing tailings and heap leach facilities. These requirements are for preventing or at least minimising the environmental contamination.

In managing, closing and rehabilitating tailings and heap leach facilities, we must consider community expectations and environmental protection over a very long time. To ensure that we get continual access to other projects, it is necessary that we maintain the highest standard in managing, closing and rehabilitating tailings and heap leach facilities.

Our Environmental Commitment

In WMC, we will:

• assess all options available for tailings disposal and storage. However, we will not practice riverine disposal.
• minimise the potential for adverse environmental impacts, both short term and long term, by designing, locating and constructing safe and stable tailings and heap leach facilities.
• develop rehabilitation and closure plans that ensure long-term stability and meet acceptable land use criteria.
• perform ongoing environmental risk assessments for all current and proposed tailings and heap leach facilities.
• design and put to work monitoring systems that will detect any measurable change to the environment, or structural integrity of tailings or heap leach facilities.
• maximise the environmentally acceptable use of tailings for backfilling and other purposes.