Rehabilitation of Tailings Dams

Smelting & Refining Business

Item Note:SMM Group
Coral Bay Nickel Corporation(CBNC) Taganito HPAL Nickel Corporation (THPAL)
No.1 Tailing Storage Facility (No.1 TSF) No.2 Tailing Storage Facility (No.2 TSF) No.1 Tailing Storage Facility (No.1 TSF)
a) Provide an overview of your tailings management system, and how you manage risk No.1 TSF is designed in conformance with guideline of DMO(Department of Environment and Natural Resources in Philippines Memorandum Order) 99-32. CBNC manages No.1 TSF, which is already closed, with periodical inspection and monitoring. No.2 TSF is designed in conformance with guideline of DMO(Department of Environment and Natural Resources in Philippines Memorandum Order) 99-32 and ANCOLD (The Australian National Committee on Large Dams Incorporated). CBNC manages No.2 TSF with periodical inspection and monitoring. No.1 TSF is designed in conformance with guideline of DMO(Department of Environment and Natural Resources in Philippines Memorandum Order) 99-32 and ANCOLD (The Australian National Committee on Large Dams Incorporated). THPAL manages No.1 TSF with periodical inspection and monitoring.
b) Confirm whether your approach to tailings management has changed or will change in light of the recent tailings disasters at Brumadinho, Mariana, Mt Polley and others. Have you, for example, reviewed all tailings storage facilities with upstream dam construction, and taken steps necessary to protect local communities and the environment e.g. butterssing, evacuation? CBNC reviewed raising method and the management system of No.1 TSF. CBNC reviewed raising method and the management system of No.2 TSF. THPAL reviewed raising method and the management system of No.1 TSF.
1 "Tailings Facility" Name/identifier No.1 Tailing Storage Facility (No.1 TSF) No.2 Tailing Storage Facility (No.2 TSF) No.1 Tailing Storage Facility (No.1 TSF)
2 Location Philippines, Palawan, Bataraza
Latitude : 8° 34' 26.83"
Longitude : 117° 25' 24.05'
Philippines, Palawan, Bataraza
Latitude : 8°35' 26.78"
Longitude : 117°24' 30.62"
Philippines, Surigao del Norte
Latitude : 9°31' 57.43"
Longitude : 125°50' 08.12"
3 Ownership Sumitomo Metal Mining Co. / Nickel Asia Corporation Sumitomo Metal Mining Co. / Nickel Asia Corporation Sumitomo Metal Mining Co. / Nickel Asia Corporation / Mitsui & Co.
4 Status Closed: No.1 TSF was already filled up and decomissioned on July 2010. Currently the tailings surface and embankment of No.1 TSF is fully planted with trees and grass. High value crops is also observe thriving and bearing fruit as of the moment. Wildlife is also observed returning base on fauna monitoring. Active Active
5 Date of initial operation November, 2004 July, 2010 June, 2013
6 Is the Dam currently operated or closed as per currently approved design? Yes: Closed Yes: Currently operated Yes: Currently operated
7 Raising method Downstream Downstream Downstream
8 Current Maximum Height 24 meters 45 meters 60 meters
9 Current Tailings Storage Impoundment Volume 15,205,887 m3 as it reached full capacity in June 2010 25,874,481 m3 as of March 27, 2019 18,654,265 m3 as of March 15, 2019
10 Planned Tailings Storage Impoundment Volume in 5 Years time 15,205,887 m3 36,133,371 m3 41,478,622 m3
11 Most recent Independent Expert Review AMH Philippines, Inc.(external consultant) conducted 3rd party study in April 2010. AMH Philippines, Inc.(external consultant) conducted 3rd party study in April 2010. No 3rd party expert review has been conducted.
(Review by expert, who designed and constructed No.1 TSF, was conducted in May 2019.)
12 Do you have full and complete relevant engineering records including design, construction, operation, maintenance, and /or closure? Yes Yes Yes
13 What is your hazard categorisation of this facility, based on the consequence of failure? Not categorized based on the consequence of failure. Regulation of the Philippines don't have categorisation rules in case of failure.
CBNC No.1 TSF is designed in conformance with DMO 99-32.
Not categorized based on the consequence of failure but designed in conformance with the requirements for HIGH Hazard Category of ANCOLD.
(Regulation of the Philippines don't have categorisation rules in case of failure.)
Not categorized based on the consequence of failure but designed in conformance with the requirements for HIGH Hazard Category of ANCOLD.
(Regulation of the Philippines don't have categorisation rules in case of failure.)
14 What guideline do you follow for the classification system? CBNC follows DMO 99-32. CBNC follows DMO 99-32 and ANCOLD Guidelines. THPAL follows DMO 99-32 and ANCOLD Guidelines.
15 Has this facility, at any point in its history, failed to be confirmed or certified as stable, or experienced notable stability concerns, as identified by an independent engineer
(even if later certified as stable by the same or a deifferent firm).
No No No
16 Do you have internal/in house engineering specialist oversight of this facility? Or do you have external engineering support for this purpose? Both, Both, Both,
17 Has a formal analysis of the downstream impact on communities, ecosystems and critical infrastructure in the event of catastrophic failure been undertaken and to reflect final condition? If so, when did this assessment take place? Yes.
Date: July 10, 2002
Yes.
Date: July 31, 2007
Yes
Date: September 3, 2008
18 Is there a) a closure plan in place for this dam, and b) does it include long term monitoring? Yes and Yes Yes and Yes Yes and Yes
19 Have you , or do you plan to assess your tailings facilities against the impact of more regular extreme weather events as a result of climate change, e.g. over the next two years? Yes Yes Yes
20 Any other relevant information and supporting documentation.
Please state if you have omitted any other exposure to tailings facilities through any joint ventures you may have.
None None None