As a member of the Mining Association of Canada (MAC), Hudbay commits to implementing MAC’s TSM program. Launched in 2004, TSM was the world’s first program by which to assess and disclose site-level performance on key social and environmental matters, including tailings management.
Following the 2020 release of the Global Industry Standard on Tailings Management (GISTM), which raised the bar for the safe management of tailings facilities around the world, MAC reviewed the GISTM requirements, mapped them to the level A requirements in the TSM protocols for tailings management, water stewardship and community relationships, and then incorporated GISTM aspects that enhance the safe management of tailings facilities. The result was an updated Tailings Management Protocol that, when combined with TSM’s Water Stewardship, Indigenous and Community Relationships, and Climate Change Protocols, aligns closely with the GISTM requirements in all aspects related to governance, community relationships and water stewardship.
For the GISTM aspects that relate to the design and construction of new tailings facilities and which the TSM protocols do not fully address, Hudbay follows the internationally recognized and respected Canadian Dam Association (CDA) Safety Guidelines and Tailings Dam Bulletins. The CDA is currently undertaking a review to ensure its guidelines and recommendations align with the GISTM.