Driving Best Practice in Mining Waste Management - CleanTechnica

A recent study by Transport & Environment (T&E) and Earthworks provides a global benchmarking of mining waste legislation across six regions, highlighting significant weaknesses in current regulatory frameworks. As demand for critical minerals surges due to the energy transition and other technological needs, robust mining waste management is essential to protect people and the environment. The research compares national laws against the "Safety First: Guidelines for Responsible Mine Tailings Management" and finds that no region fully mandates the use of best available technologies or meets all safety requirements, especially regarding the closure of tailings facilities. Despite widespread regulatory gaps, some countries demonstrate leadership in mining waste governance. Brazil stands out with the strongest legislative framework, notably being the only country to fully ban upstream tailings dams and enforce strict monitoring and proximity limits to residential areas. The US state of Montana also has strong independent monitoring rules, while China imposes restrictions on tailings facility locations near communities. Most jurisdictions require some form of financial assurance for mining waste management. The report calls on governments