Two dams at the BHP Billiton and Vale-owned Samarco mine collapsed on November 5, killing 13 people, with another six still missing, and leaving more than 600 people homeless.

“I would like to express my profound sadness for the tragic loss of life that resulted from the recent Samarco tailings dam collapse in Brazil, and to extend my deepest sympathies to all those affected by the disaster,” ICMM CEO Tom Butler said.
 
“In recent weeks, we have been consulting with member companies to determine how best to respond as an organisation with a commitment to leadership in environmental and safety performance within the mining and metals industry.

“ICMM places an emphasis on collaborative learning and in convening this review, we support our industry in seeking to avoid such an event from happening again.”

BHP is a member of ICMM, but Vale is not.

The review, to be led by ICMM and include external experts and member company representatives, will focus on surface tailings management across the membership, including a review of standards, critical control strategies, governance and emergency preparedness.
 
 “This review will build on an existing body of knowledge on tailings management and serve as an important resource not only for our members but the wider industry,” Butler said.
 
 Work on the review will get underway immediately.

As well as BHP, ICMM’s other 22 members are Glencore, South32, Newmont Mining, Teck Resources, Barrick Gold, Anglo American, Hydro, MMG, JX Nippon Mining & Metals, Rio Tinto, AngloGold Ashanti, Freeport McMoRan, Goldcorp, Lonmin, Codelco, Areva, Mitsubishi, Sumitomo Metal Mining Co, African Rainbow Minerals, Polyus Gold, Gold Fields, and Antofagasta.

 

BHP copper president Daniel Malchuk said overnight that his division had brought forward an internal review on tailings dams, while South32 CEO Graham Kerr said last month that the company was conducting its own checks.