Barrick Tanzania Reinforces Commitment to Safety Standards at Tailings Storage Facilities
Mwanza – Barrick Tanzania has reaffirmed its commitment to upholding national health, safety and environmental regulations, highlighting significant investments in constructing Tailings Storage Facilities (TSFs) to international standards across its mining operations.
The facilities, located at North Mara, Bulyanhulu and Buzwagi mines – the latter currently undergoing closure – are designed to ensure that neither workers nor surrounding communities are exposed to risks arising from gold-processing waste.
At a tailings-management conference currently underway in Mwanza, Barrick Buzwagi Mine Closure Manager, Engineer Zonnastraal Mumbi, emphasized the company’s ongoing rigorous monitoring of all TSFs in accordance with its corporate policy on health, safety and environmental stewardship.
"Barrick has put in place robust plans to ensure that toxic-waste dams do not pose risks to employees or neighbouring communities. We also ensure full compliance with national laws and guidelines on TSF management, while working closely with government institutions responsible for environmental protection, health and workplace safety," he stated.
The company routinely conducts tests on drinking-water wells and surface-water sources around its mining areas to ensure communities remain protected, Mumbi added.
He also commended the government for organizing regular training sessions and seminars on the management of water and tailings dams.
Opening the seminar, the Director of Water Quality at the Ministry of Water, Heri Chisute, said the government is committed to ensuring that the construction and operation of tailings dams adhere to high standards in line with the Water Resources Management Act and relevant safety requirements.
Chisute emphasized that environmental safety and compliance were not only legal obligations, but also moral duties owed to communities that depend on such systems for their wellbeing.
According to the Ministry of Water, Tanzania currently has more than 700 water dams and at least 60 tailings storage facilities.
The conference, held under the theme "Emergency Preparedness for Managing Risks Associated with Water Dams and Toxic Tailings," has been organized by the Ministry of Water in collaboration with the Tanzania Chamber of Mines (TCM) and City Engineering Company, bringing together participants from both the private sector and government, including mine operators.
