Tailings Management
Intake commences 2 April 2025
40 PD hours
100% online
AusIMM courses rated 4.9/5 (4.5k+ reviews)
Course Overview
AusIMM, in conjunction with leading experts in the mining industry, has developed the Professional Certificate in Tailings Management. This 8 week online course delves into geotechnical, geochemical, governance, closure and socio-economic considerations of tailings management.
This course offers a comprehensive and practical exploration of the principles, strategies, and best practices involved in managing tailings effectively.
Who is this for?
- Tailings consultants - Contractors and consultants.
- Mining companies - Head office senior management and technical personnel with a responsibility for tailings.
- Mining industry professionals - Tailings engineers, managers, and operators.
Did you know we now offer a Tailings Management Professional Certificate in Spanish? View the in-language course here.
 Duration |
 Delivery |
 Course Type |
 2025 Intakes |
 PD Hours |
 Language |
8 weeks |
100% online |
Professional
|
2 April 2025
|
40 hours |
English |
Why is Tailings Management important?
Tailings management is crucial for several reasons:
- Environmental Protection: Safe storage of tailings is essential to prevent environmental damage from potential leaks or spills.
- Long-Term Stability: Tailings facilities must be designed for long-term stability, considering factors like earthquakes and floods over thousands of years.
- Closure Planning: Mines need a plan for tailings storage facilities even after the mine ceases operation.
This course addresses these challenges and explores innovative approaches to tailings management for a sustainable future.
Course overview
AusIMM, in conjunction with leading experts in the mining industry, has developed the Professional Certificate in Tailings Management. This 8 week online course delves into geotechnical, geochemical, governance, closure and socio-economic considerations of tailings management.
This course offers a comprehensive and practical exploration of the principles, strategies, and best practices involved in managing tailings effectively.
Learn from renowned experts, engage in interactive sessions, and earn a digital badge to showcase your knowledge and skills, accelerating your career in the mining industry.
Note: This course is allocated 40 AusIMM PD hours. It involves an estimated 40 hours of content, including live sessions, online reading, activities and a final assessment. However, everyone learns at their own pace and, to pass, some people may need to commit further time. There are also optional readings for those that would like to explore the topic further and these are not included in the 40 hours estimate.
Course Modules
Module 1 | Introduction to Tailings Management
Introduction to Tailings Management
- Describe the key elements of tailings management
- Explain the variations in tailings management globally
- Describe the cause(s) and impact(s) of tailings dam failures
- Discuss some opportunities for improvement to tailings management
Module 2 | Geotechnical considerations
Geotechnical considerations
- Identify the key geotechnical causes of tailings dam failures
- Explain tailings risk assessment methods and risk acceptability
- Explain tailings dam/storage design
- Discuss the key tailings geotechnical parameters
- Explain construction and operation to ensure compliance with the design intent
Module 3 | Geochemical and water considerations
Geochemical and water considerations
- Explain the geochemical nature of tailings
- Identify the potential for contamination from tailings
- Understand the tailings water balance
- Describe the management of potentially contaminating tailings
Module 4 | Governance and surveillance
Governance and surveillance
- Interpret multi-stakeholder governance
- Discuss regional and global guidelines
- Examine tailings management regulations
- Interpret corporate governance
- Discuss types of monitoring
- Explain links to triggers and emergency response
- Discuss frequency of monitoring and analysis
Module 5 | Tailings management for closure
Tailings management for closure
- Explain residual risk and tailings closure opportunities
- Discuss closure challenges for tailings storage facilities
- Explain capping and revegetation of tailings
- Discuss learnings from tailings closure case studies
Module 6 | Socio-economic considerations
Socio-economic considerations
- Discuss financial and social license to operate
- Explain why communities matter in tailings management
- Understand sustainable tailings management
- Explain effective tailings stewardship
- Discuss net present value versus wholeof-life accounting
- Discuss post-mining land use and ecological function
Course Pricing
- Exclusive discounts
- Access to digital library
- Networking opportunities
- Professional development
- Industry insights
- Exclusive discounts
- Access to digital library
- Networking opportunities
- Professional development
- Industry insights
- Exclusive discounts
- Access to digital library
- Networking opportunities
- Professional development
- Industry insights
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Subscribe now for 2025 dates
Learning Objectives
- List the key elements of tailings management
- Explain the geotechnical fundamentals of tailings management
- Explain the geochemical and water fundamentals of tailings management
- Describe tailings management surveillance and governance best practices
- Identify the tailings management requirements for closure
- Discuss the socio-economic and ecological considerations of managing tailings
Course Structure
The eight-week course consists of six modules over six weeks, with a final two weeks to complete the written assessment. Each module consists of:
- Pre-recorded videos, featuring Q&As with global tailings experts
- Live interactive virtual classrooms
- Interactive learning activities and group discussions
- Multiple choice questions
- Additional readings and case studies
The final assessment is made up of 24 short answer questions that address the content presented in each module. Access to the final assignment will be available at the end of week 1 allowing participants to work progressively on the questions as they work their way through the course.
Live sessions are recorded and available within 24 hours for participants who are unable to attend.
Course Schedule
| Course dates |
Virtual classrooms |
Assessment |
|
Course commences: 2 April 2025 Course closes: 1 June 2025 |
Module 1: Tuesday 8 April, 11.30– 13.30 AEST Module 2: Tuesday 15 April, 11.30– 13.30 AEST Module 3: Tuesday 22 April, 11.30– 13.30 AEST Module 4: Tuesday 29 April, 11.30– 13.30 AEST Module 5: Tuesday 6 May, 11.30– 13.30 AEST Module 6: Tuesday 13 May, 11.30– 13.30 AEST |
Due date: 1 June 2025 |
Earn digital credentials
Showcase your studies, validate your knowledge
Verify your new skills and knowledge with a digital badge that you can add to your LinkedIn profile, email signature, intranet, or any other online account.
Your badge links to a detailed outline of the course, showcasing and validating your new skills in a format that employers and colleagues can easily access and trust.
Course Facilitators
All programs have been developed in consultation with leading organisations in the mining industry, subject matter experts and community leaders to ensure you gain the latest knowledge and develop relevant skills to accelerate your career.
David Williams
Professor Williams was a member of an Expert Panel investigating technical causes of the Brumadinho tailings dam failure and is on a number of Tailings Independent Technical Review Boards, including for Escondida.
He authored the 2009 and 2016 Tailings Management Handbook, as part of the Commonwealth Leading Practice Sustainable Development Program for the Mining Industry. Professor Williams is currently involved in the Working Party for the Australian National Committee for Large Dams Guidelines on Tailings Dams – Planning, Design, Construction, Operation and Closure, published in 2012, with an update in 2019.
Peter Chapman
Angelica Andrade
Laurie Reemeyer
As Principal Development Advisor at Zinifex, he was responsible for process and environmental due diligence on potential base metals acquisitions globally. After completing his MBA, he spent several years at Amec Foster Wheeler in study management, process engineering and sustainability roles, before forming Resourceful Paths, a Vancouver based consultancy focused on sustainability in mining and metals. He recently provided technical support to Sedgman and New Century Resources for the reprocessing of historical tailings.
Eduardo Salfate
Brad Tiver
Brad has been at Golder & WSP his whole career, principally focused on tailings engineering. He has undertaken all facets of TSF design from project initiation to closure, at greenfield and brownfield sites, and for a wide range of commodities, including iron, gold, copper and graphite. Brad currently holds a variety of Engineer of Record roles, some as the main EoR and one as Deputy EoR, at sites in South Australia and Western Australia.
Dr Rens Verburg
Download the course brochure
Professional Certificate in Tailings Management
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See what past participants are saying about AusIMM's Online Courses
Manager Strategic Engagement at Newmont Australia and past participant of the Tailings Management Professional Certificate, Kim Scully, shares what drew her to the online course and the learnings she has taken away.
Frequently asked questions
What are the technical requirements to participate in the course? i.e. do I need a webcam, microphone, etc?
The course will be run entirely online via a cloud-based Learning Management System (LMS) which can be accessed via computer, tablet or phone. Participants will simply need to have a working Internet connection and a computer, tablet or phone with sound to access the course. They will not be required to download any software and will not require any hardware like a webcam or microphone.
How long will the course take?
The Professional Certificate is estimated to take about 40 hours of learning. Participants will have access to the course platform for eight weeks to complete all modules.
Must a participant complete and pass all modules in order to finish the course?
Yes, it is a requirement for participants to complete all exercises and pass all learning activities for all modules. A digital credential will be awarded upon successful completion of all course components.
Do I have to complete all six modules?
Yes, completion of all six modules is required to obtain the Professional Certificate.
How often will the courses be run?
We aim to run two to three intakes each year.
Will the course be delivered in other languages?
The AusIMM Tailings Management Professional Certificate is also available in Spanish. View the course here.
Does someone have to have a prequalification of years’ experience before they can do the course?
No, however the course is designed for mining professionals who have working knowledge of and some basic working experience in tailings facilities.
How many PD hours do I receive for undertaking the course?
Participants can earn professional development (PD) hours for undertaking the course. One contact hour of technical content is equivalent to one PD hour.