Tailings Case Studies : Real-World Lessons in Tailings Management

Discover the critical insights of tailings management with the essential read, Tailings Management Case Studies, a curated collection of 43 impactful case studies from the acclaimed Tailings Management Handbook. This book is a vital resource for students, professionals, and researchers in the field of mining and mineral processing, offering 11 updated and 3 new case studies that shed light on the ever-evolving challenges of tailings management.

Divided into six comprehensive categories ― Closure & Reclamation, Design & Construction, Environmental & Regulatory, Geotechnical Studies, Lessons Learned from Failures, and Operations & Monitoring ― this compilation offers a structured approach to understanding the multifaceted aspects of tailings management. Each case study serves as a narrative of caution and instruction, highlighting the imperative of responsible tailings management in reflecting a company's commitment to ESG principles. Whether for academic purposes or professional development, this collection stands as a testament to the importance of learning from the past to safeguard our future.

As founding Chair of the Tailings and Mine Waste Committee of the Society for Mining, Metallurgy & Exploration (SME), Kimberly (Kim) Finke Morrison, PE, RG, actively works to raise awareness about responsible tailings management through programs and training.  Kim served as the managing editor for the first edition of SME’s Tailings Management Handbook: A Life-Cycle Approach, published in early 2022, and has authored or coauthored nearly 40 other technical publications

A consultant for more than 20 years, Kim brought her experience into the mining industry. For 5 years, commencing 2019, she served as the global function lead for tailings, dams, and heap leach at Newmont’s corporate headquarters in Denver, Colorado.  In 2020, she was named to the 100 Global Inspirational Women in Mining (WIM100) and received the SME President’s Individual Citation Award for significant individual contribution and leadership in the mining industry.