Global Industry Standard on Tailings Management (GISTM)

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GISTM was developed through an independent process – the Global Tailings Review (GTR) –which was co-convened in March 2019 by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI) and International Council on Mining and Metals (ICMM) following the tragic tailings facility collapse at Brumadinho, Brazil, on 25 January 2019


The co-conveners have each endorsed it and call for its broad and effective implementation across the industry (Source: Global Tailings Review): 


- UNEP will support governments that wish to incorporate and build upon this Standard into their national or state legislation and policies. 


- PRI, representing USD 103.4 trillion in assets under management, will be developing investor expectations to support all mining companies in implementing the Standard. 


- ICMM member companies will implement the Standard as a commitment of membership, which includes robust site-level validation and third-party assessments.

GISTM is a comprehensive set of 77 requirements across six topic areas that calls for multi-disciplinary measures and approaches for the safe and responsible management of Tailings Storage Facilities (TSFs) throughout their lifecycle. It is the first global standard of its kind, requiring mining companies to integrate social, environmental, economic, and technical considerations when managing each of their TSFs. 

Every TSF for which GISTM applies will need to be assessed against the 77 requirements through two levels of assessments: 


- Self Assessments conducted by mining company's personnel - i.e., by a Responsible Tailings Facility Engineer (RTFE) or equivalent position appointed by the mining company.


- Third-Party Validation/Verification conducted by an auditor with the experience, skills, and knowledge required to competently confirm the reasonableness and authenticity of assertions made in self assessment, or to undertake a standlone audit.

Member companies of the International Council of Metals & mining (ICMM), are expected to complete self assessments at a minimum, but should contract with auditors to undertake third-party validation as soon as reasonably practicable (page 7, Conformance Protocols, GISTM - ICMM) 

ICMM Members have committed to the following time horizons by which to  implement and conform to GISTM, each of their TSFs: 


- August 5, 2023: For all TSFs that are considered to have 'Extreme' or 'Very High' potential consequences in the event of a failure. Conformance for these TSFs will be demonstrated every 3 years thereafter.


- August 5, 2025: For all remaining TSFs, regardless of potential consequences in the event of a failure. Conformance for TSFs with lower potential consquences will be demonstrated every 5 years thereafter.