Mine tailings dams face scrutiny over weak enforcement risks

A report has highlighted the need for improved oversight of South Africa's mine tailings dams, following a series of disasters that have endangered nearby communities. The study by researcher Hassen Lorgat criticises the existing monitoring system, stating that inadequate inspections, weak enforcement and lack of public access to information could pose significant risks.

Tailings storage facilities, which store mining waste, heavy metals and other contaminants, require stricter regulation due to their potential to release hazardous materials.

The Jagersfontein tailings dam collapse in September 2022 in the Free State, which claimed five lives, has reignited concerns over the effectiveness of the Department of Water and Sanitation in monitoring registered dams. The report reveals that the department possesses only four permanent inspectors tasked with overseeing more than 5,700 registered dams. Moreover, there is a backlog of dam safety reports, which has risen from 474 in November 2022 to 518, with an estimated R7.1 million required to clear the backlog.

Only 33% of mandatory dam safety reports had been submitted, according to the report, suggesting a serious gap in timely inspections and monitoring. The report warns that tailings dam failures can lead to devastating consequences such as toxic mudflows, water resource contamination, and severe environmental damage. Aging infrastructure and increasingly extreme weather events could exacerbate these risks.

The report calls for specialised oversight of tailings facilities and the establishment of a standalone, publicly accessible register of tailings dams to enhance transparency and ensure proper monitoring.