Press release, 24 January 2020: World’s first public database of mine tailings dams aims to prevent deadly disasters (klikk her for norsk versjon)
The team at GRID-Arendal has built the Global Tailings Portal, a public, searchable database with detailed information on more than 1,700 mine tailings dams around the world. The data is based on disclosures provided by mining companies following a request from the Church of England Pensions Board and the Swedish National Pension Funds’ Council of Ethics. Previously, very little information about mine tailings dams was publicly available. The portal, which is supported by the UN Environment Programme, is designed to be used by governments, scientists, insurers, the finance community, the mining industry, media, and civil society.
GRID-Arendal is also working with the British Satellite company Catapult, which is in the process of developing monitoring functionality for selected dams. Using data collected from synthetic aperture radar satellites, the company hopes to be able to monitor movement in dam structure to provide an early warning of instability.
Partner websites:
