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Tailings

CAML is committed to responsible management throughout the lifecycle of its tailings facilities. This commitment is an integral part of our overall prioritisation of the safety and well-being of all project-affected persons, communities, stakeholders and the environment. In 2024, following a three-year implementation programme, CAML achieved conformance with the Global Industry Standard on Tailings Management (GISTM).

OUR APPROACH

At CAML we are firmly committed to the long-term environmental and socially responsible disposal of tailings. Tailings are not produced at Kounrad owing to the nature of the leaching operation. However, mineral waste materials are generated by mining and processing operations at Sasa, and these are managed in an effective and responsible manner.

The Sasa Tailings Storage Facilities (TSF) consistent of five tailings dams, which have been constructed using the downstream construction method, and a dry stack tailings (DST) storage facility which entered operation in Q1 2025. All of Sasa’s tailings dams are designed to take into account the specific environmental setting in which they are located, which includes but is not limited to, grain size, slope angle and height of dam wall above the pond.

At CAML we aim to minimise associated impacts with regards to waste management. This is why we have committed to transitioning to paste fill mining at Sasa, which will allow disposal of a significant proportion of tailings in cemented paste backfill underground to minimise the quantity of tailings stored on the surface.

DST will allow for a larger volume of material to be stored in a smaller footprint. This method, combined with the paste fill mining, will provide storage capacity for approximately 70% of Sasa’s Life of Mine (LoM) tailings to 2039, with the remaining approximately 30% to be stored in the existing TSF4.

Full details of Sasa’s TSFs and it’s DST facility can be found in our GISTM disclosure document at the following link: GISTM public disclosure document.

TAILINGS Policy

At CAML, we drafted our first standalone Tailings Policy in 2022, reaffirming our dedication to proactive, safe and sustainable tailings management. This policy underscores our commitment to protecting the safety and well-being of all project-affected persons, communities, stakeholders and the environment, and it is reviewed on an annual basis.

Tailings Policy (PDF)

Our TAILINGS FACILITIES

There are five conventional tailings storage facilities and a DST facility at Sasa. Details of these facilities can be found in CAML’s GISTM disclosure document.

Global industry standard on Tailings Management

The Global Industry Standard on Tailings Management (GISTM) is based on 15 core principles spread across six topics, ranging from potentially affected communities, through design and construction, to facilities management and planned emergency response.

Adoption of the GISTM is not a legal requirement, though is required of members of the International Council on Mining & Metals (ICMM), an industry body comprising 24 of the world’s largest mining companies. CAML decided to adopt the GISTM on a voluntary basis to demonstrate its commitment to safe and sustainable mining practices.

Our conformance with the GISTM

CAML’s GISTM conformance has been independently audited by international consultants Knight Piésold (KP). See our GISTM public disclosures document for more information.

TAILINGS MANAGEMENT

CAML is committed to proactive, safe, and sustainable tailings management to protect the health and safety of our people, communities, and the environment in which we operate.

Our approach to TSF management is centred on strong governance and effective risk management. The CAML TSF Policy outlines our commitment to the safe management of TSFs, emphasising governance, risk management, transparency, emergency preparedness, and response and recovery in the event of a failure. For detailed information on the role of the CAML Board in overseeing our approach to, and delivery on, sustainability, please refer to our annual Sustainability Report.

Our TSF management is guided by a comprehensive standard that governs all aspects of TSF operations. This Tailings Management System (TMS) defines specific governance roles dedicated to the safe management of our TSFs, including, but not limited to:

  • Accountable Executive – CAML has appointed its Chief Executive Officer as the Accountable Executive (AE). The AE is accountable for the safety of tailings facilities and avoiding or minimising the social and environmental consequences of a TSF failure.
  • Responsible Person – At Sasa we have appointed a Responsible Tailings Facility Engineer (RTFE), to ensure ownership and appropriate management of the TSFs. The RTFE consults with the Engineer of Record (EOR) and the AE, as well as the internal site teams such as operations, regulatory affairs, social performance and environment. The RTFE is an appropriately qualified and experienced individual who is based full-time at the operation
  • Engineer of Record – Sasa has appointed an independent and appropriately qualified, experienced, and licensed Engineer of Record (EOR). The EOR has responsible charge over the design of the facilities and provides ongoing support during operations and throughout the lifespan of the facility. 

Additionally, the TMS mandates the implementation of a management system that complies with the six topic areas of the GISTM and additional CAML-specific requirements. This includes independent assurance throughout the entire mine lifecycle through independent audits.

TSF failure risk is recognised as a Principal Risk for CAML, managed within the established risk management process. The CAML risk management framework, an essential element in the Company’s governance model, plays a key role in facilitating effective risk management in accordance with protocol. TSF failure risk is a Principal Risk owing to the potential for significant consequences in the unlikely event of a failure.

CAML has created a monitoring system called Cyclops that allows site teams to monitor the TSFs and other parameters in real time, and from anywhere in the world. Pre-determined trigger levels for surveillance activities are in place at Sasa, and when a trigger level is breached, trigger action response plans (TARP) are in place.

CAML is committed to transparent disclosure of our TSF management. In 2024 achieved conformance with the Global Industry Standard on Tailings Management (GISTM) for our TSFs. See our GISTM public disclosures document for more information.

In addition, CAML publishes information its our approach to safe TSF management within the Company’s annual Sustainability Report.

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