Governance, risk and compliance software supplier IsoMetrix has developed the IsoMetrix tailings management solution (TMS) to specifically enable mining operations to manage their tailings storage facilities (TSFs) more effectively and responsively, as these are inherently environmentally risky, IsoMetrix sustainability executive head Robin Bolton tells Mining Weekly.

Several factors prompted the development of the TMS, particularly the “devastating” environmental and social damage that can result from the failure of TSFs, but also numerous mining operations inadequately managing the documents, data and obligations pertaining to TSFs, he explains.

Bolton stresses that the new International Organisation for Standardisation standard, and codes, such as King IV for Corporate Governance, have made risk management a board-level responsibility.

“We work best with companies who seek to do good business, who want to act as custodians of their natural environment and to prevent any negative impact on the communities around them.”

Further, certain industry standards require confirmation that a system for responsible tailings management has been implemented, further underpinning the need for this solution, says Bolton.

IsoMetrix enterprise software also provides integrated solutions for environmental, social, health and safety risks. The software range is used by many mining operations in South Africa and globally, to manage these risks.

However, while the software range is applicable to TSFs, Bolton notes that the company realised the need to develop a solution focused purely on mine waste facilities. The company believes that “the IsoMetrix TMS is currently the only offering available which is focused on managing TSFs”, Bolton asserts.

The company has launched the offering, following completion at the end of last year, to the market, with positive interest received from prospective mining clients, enthuses Bolton.

Permit, licence and approval conditions, obligations and commitments can all be tracked and actioned within the system, and high-rated risks identified using the risk management module. The software enables users to appoint responsibility to personnel, and then capture and track tasks, while stakeholder and contractor information is also recorded in the system.

The incident manager module enables the user to capture nonconformance or incidents, with follow-up corrective actions, which can be tracked until closure. Reviews, audits, surveillances and inspections with checklists can all be established and scheduled in the system, he adds.

The most notable facet of the TMS, according to Bolton, is the built-in IsoMetrix dashboard capabilities. These are configurable, and provide visual data customisable to the user profile. Moreover, through linking up with the Internet of Things, TSF-related data such as flow rates, deposition quantities, water depths, pond sizes or quality monitoring can be received in real time from multiple TSFs and visually displayed in dashboards. Dashboards also make reporting quicker and easier.

With these capabilities, managers can quickly detect if certain functions are not undertaken, follow up accordingly and be notified immediately of nonconformance or when any trigger is activated. Bolton says it is common for responsible persons to work from remote sites; therefore, this capability reduces the need for direct interaction through site visits, as the information captured by the software is provided in real time, and can be more detailed.

The IsoMetrix TMS can be used as a standalone solution to replace manual and spreadsheet-based methods, be integrated into companies’ existing solutions or used as part of a fully integrated IsoMetrix Environ- mental Health and Safety Management System.