ABOUT THE GTMI
The Role Of
The GTMI
WHAT DOES THE GTMI DO?
An Assurance Framework and Supporting Functions
Our core priority is to manage an assurance framework where tailings facilities are independently audited and certified against the Global Industry Standard on Tailings Management (GISTM), including:
- Overseeing an independent accreditation process for auditors carrying out tailings facility audits.
- Providing a reference point for mining companies and auditors seeking clarification on the GISTM.
- Receiving and acting on feedback from stakeholders.
- Implementing any future changes developed by the co-convenors of the Global Tailings Review, to enhance the GISTM.
This is supported by:
- Raising awareness by promoting familiarity with and understanding of the GISTM among mining companies, and encouraging its adoption.
- Sharing knowledge by facilitating discussions around how to effectively implement the GISTM, and improve overall understanding of tailings management.
- Disclosing information about tailings facility details and auditing outcomes.
Global Industry Standard on Tailings Management
Comprising six topic areas, 15 principles and 77 auditable requirements, the GISTM will be supported by the GTMI’s conformance protocols, to guide consistent auditing and certification, or assurance as applicable.
Affected
Communities
- Identify and address human rights most at risk.
- Provide opportunities for meaningful engagement of project-affected people in decisions that may have a bearing on public safety and the integrity of the tailings facility.
01
Human rights, meaningful engagement and remedy
for harm.
Integrated
Knowledge
Base
- Document knowledge about the social, environmental and local economic context of a tailings facility.
- This will support informed decision-making throughout the tailings facility lifecycle.
02
Interdisciplinary
knowledge base
03
Informed decision-making
Design,
Construction,
Operation &
Monitoring
- Establish robust requirements to minimise risk of failure by maintaining an informed knowledge base.
- Evaluate performance data, use it to frequently update monitoring programmes and regularly report results.
04
Plan and design to minimise risk
05
Develop a robust design
06
Minimise and manage risk across lifecycle
07
Monitor across lifecycle
Management
& Governance
- Assign responsibility and accountability for key roles.
- Support cross-functional collaboration, promote identification of problems and protect whistle-blowers.
- Establish standards for critical systems and processes essential to upholding integrity of a facility.
08
Policies, systems & accountabilities
09
Engineer of record
10
Levels of review
11
Organisational culture
12
Whistle-blower protections
Emergency
Response &
Long Term
Recovery
- Establish a community-focused emergency preparedness and response plan.
- Support recovery of affected communities and the environment affected by a catastrophic tailings failure.
- Have capacity to engage with communities, public sector and other agencies, to prepare for the event of a failure.
13
Emergency response
14
Long-term recovery
Public
Disclosure
& Access to
Information
- Disclose information to support public accountability.
- Participate in initiatives for the creation of standardised, independent, industry-wide and publicly accessible information about the safety and integrity of tailings facilities.
15
Public disclosure
01.
Affected
Communities
- Identify and address human rights most at risk.
- Provide opportunities for meaningful engagement of project-affected people in decisions that may have a bearing on public safety and the integrity of the tailings facility.
Principals
01
Human rights, meaningful engagement and remedy
for harm.
02.
Integrated
Knowledge Base
- Document knowledge about the social, environmental and local economic context of a tailings facility.
- This will support informed decision-making throughout the tailings facility lifecycle.
Principals
02
Interdisciplinary
knowledge base
03
Informed decision-making
03.
Design,
Construction,
Operation &
Monitoring
- Establish robust requirements to minimise risk of failure by maintaining an informed knowledge base.
- Evaluate performance data, use it to frequently update monitoring programmes and regularly report results.
Principals
04
Plan and design to minimise risk
05
Develop a robust design
06
Minimise and manage risk across lifecycle
07
Monitor across lifecycle
04.
Management
& Governance
- Assign responsibility and accountability for key roles.
- Support cross-functional collaboration, promote identification of problems and protect whistle-blowers.
- Establish standards for critical systems and processes essential to upholding integrity of a facility.
Principals
08
Policies, systems & accountabilities
09
Engineer of record
10
Levels of review
11
Organisational culture
12
Whistle-blower protections
05.
Emergency
Response &
Long Term
Recovery
- Establish a community-focused emergency preparedness and response plan.
- Support recovery of affected communities and the environment affected by a catastrophic tailings failure.
- Have capacity to engage with communities, public sector and other agencies, to prepare for the event of a failure.
Principals
13
Emergency response
14
Long-term recovery
06.
Public
Disclosure
& Access to
Information
- Disclose information to support public accountability.
- Participate in initiatives for the creation of standardised, independent, industry-wide and publicly accessible information about the safety and integrity of tailings facilities.
Principals
15
Public disclosure
Click WHAT IS THE SCOPE?
Supporting Independent Auditing
Independent, third-party auditors are selected and hired by mine operators to audit their tailings facilities. But these professionals need to meet the GTMI’s criteria for experience and expertise. The role of the GTMI is to support implementation and auditing, which includes:
- Accrediting auditors to evaluate and certify tailings facilities.
- Reviewing audit reports for completeness.
- Publishing summary audit reports and corrective action plans on this website.
- Providing technical advice on interpretation and implementation of the GISTM.
WHAT IS THE ROLE OF THE BOARD?
GTMI Board Charter
The GTMI board of directors is the custodian of corporate governance in the organisation and assumes ultimate accountability and responsibility for its performance and affairs.
The purpose of the charter is to:
- Set out the role, responsibilities and composition requirements of the Board
- Provide guidance for the Board's effective functioning
- Ensure the highest levels of corporate governance throughout the organisation
The Charter states that the Board should collectively comprise the appropriate balance of knowledge, skills, experience, diversity and independence for it to discharge its responsibilities objectively and effectively.
WHAT HAS BEEN ACHIEVED?
GTMI Progress To Date
Since the launch of the institute, this is what the GTMI has put in place:
- 2 February 2026: The establishment of the Technical Committee was announced
- 2 February 2026: The appointment of Ed Toms as CEO was announced
- 20 August 2025: Call for applications for the Technical Committee
- 30 July 2025: The Board members, Chair and Co-chair were announced
- 21 January 2025: The GTMI was established and included a call for board member applications
