Gestão de riscos em pilhas de rejeitos: aplicação do padrão global da indústria para gestão de rejeitos e proposição de um índice global de riscos

Abstract

The growing demand for safer and more sustainable tailings disposal solutions in mining has encouraged the adoption of dry-stacked tailings facilities (DSTFs), or dry disposal piles (PDRs), as alternatives to conventional tailings dams. In this context, the Global Industry Standard on Tailings Management (GISTM), launched in 2020, has become an international reference for risk management in tailings storage facilities. However, its application to PDRs still lacks specific interpretations that consider the unique characteristics of these structures. This dissertation, presented in article format, aims to assess the applicability of the GISTM to PDRs and to propose a risk analysis methodology based on a Global Risk Index (αg) that integrates structural, environmental, legal, reputational, financial, and psychosocial dimensions. The first article analyzes data from five PDRs using the Risk Control Management System (RCMS) methodology, identifying how GISTM requirements are distributed across different risk categories whose risks are most frequent. The second article proposes a semi-quantitative risk assessment tool grounded in GISTM requirements, applied to the same structures, allowing the classification of risk zones and the prioritization of mitigation actions. The results show that the GISTM functions as an effective risk control tool, although it presents specific limitations when applied to PDRs. The proposed αg index proved to be a robust alternative to support risk governance and enhance decision-making in mining operations, contributing to improved safety, regulatory compliance, and sustainability in the sector.