This intensive five-day course provides professionals with essential knowledge and practical skills for responsible tailings management across the entire facility life cycle. Participants will gain comprehensive understanding of tailings fundamentals, governance frameworks (including GISTM), facility design principles, water management strategies, and risk assessment methodologies. The curriculum features in-depth analysis of the Mount Polley tailings dam failure, examining the technical, governance, and management factors that contributed to this disaster.

The course culminates with closure and post-closure management strategies, emphasizing long-term stability and environmental protection. An optional field trip on the final day offers valuable hands-on experience at an operational tailings facility, allowing participants to witness best practices in action and network with industry peers.

Society for Mining, Metallurgy & Exploration’s (SME’s) Tailings Management Handbook: A Life-Cycle Approach, a comprehensive guide to tailings management, will be the primary reference material for this course. We will be able to facilitate the purchase of the handbook at student pricing if you would like a hard copy, while the e-book will be made available to registered students.

For more information about this handbook, please visit the following site: https://store.smenet.org/1vmff1t/#_=_