Use of 'A guide to the management of tailings facilities' at Syncrude

Efficient and effective management of mine tailings is an essential ingredient for the continued development and prosperity of the Canadian mining industry. Recognizing this, the Mining Association of Canada (MAC) recently worked with mining industry representatives to develop and publish "A Guide to the Management of Tailings Facilities" in September 1998. The MAC tailings management guide provides direction and assistance with the development and assessment of effective tailings management systems. As a member of MAC, Syncrude Canada Ltd. actively supported the development of the guide. This paper describes how the guide was used at Syncrude to assess the effectiveness and integrity of in-house tailings management systems. The MAC guide was found helpful in providing focus on, and commitment to, tailings management excellence.