How International Guidelines Are Evolving to Prevent the Next Disaster

Across Africa, mining is both a pillar of economic growth and a source of social and environmental concern. From Ghana’s gold fields to Guinea’s bauxite mines and South Africa’s vast platinum belt, the continent is rich in mineral wealth and with that comes the challenge of managing tailings safely and responsibly.

Tailings storage facilities (TSFs) are not just technical structures; they are critical to protecting communities, rivers, and ecosystems. Unfortunately, Africa has not been immune to tailings-related risks. While catastrophic collapses like those seen in other regions may be less frequent, local incidents such as waste discharges, water pollution, and community safety concerns have raised alarms. These events underscore the urgent need for stronger, globally aligned guidelines across the continent.

Why Guidelines are changing

For many years, tailings management in Africa was guided mainly by national mining laws and environmental regulations, which varied widely from country to country. In some places, enforcement was strong; in others, oversight capacity was limited.

International guidelines are changing that picture. The Global Industry Standard on Tailings

Management (GISTM), launched in 2020, now provides a universal benchmark for safer tailings management worldwide. Complemented by frameworks from organizations like the International Commission on Large Dams (ICOLD), these standards are reshaping how mining companies in Africa must approach tailings safety.

Key Shifts for Africa

1.    Board-Level Accountability – International standards require tailings risks to be managed at the highest levels of corporate governance, not just by site managers.

2.    Community-Centered Approach – In regions where mines sit close to villages, farmlands, and rivers, guidelines now emphasize engagement and transparency with local communities.

3.    Data Disclosure – Companies are being called to publish information on their tailings facilities, building trust with governments, investors, and the public.

4.    Climate & Seismic Resilience – With extreme weather events affecting parts of Africa, standards are pushing for designs that account for heavier rainfall, floods, and seismic risks.

5.    Stronger ESG Integration – Global investors now scrutinize African projects through the lens of environmental and social governance (ESG), making compliance with global standards an investment necessity.

Why This Evolution Matters

Mining in Africa is growing rapidly to meet global demand for critical minerals such as bauxite, manganese, lithium, and cobalt. This means more tailings, larger facilities, and higher risks. Without strong standards, the potential for environmental and social harm increases.

The evolution of international guidelines offers a path forward: not just preventing disasters but building a future where mining and communities can coexist safely.

Final Thought

For Africa’s mining sector, adopting evolving international standards is not just about compliance. It’s about ensuring that the continent’s mineral wealth translates into sustainable development rather than environmental liabilities.

The next disaster can be prevented but only if tailings management is treated not as an afterthought, but as a strategic priority woven into the very fabric of mining governance.