Tailings and Mine Waste 2017

Tailings and Mine Waste 2017 served as a comprehensive forum for addressing one of the mining industry's most pressing environmental challenges. The four-day conference brought together mine waste managers, tailings engineers, reclamation specialists, regulatory officials, and academic researchers to share knowledge and best practices in an increasingly scrutinized field. The event addressed the full lifecycle of mine waste management, from active operations through to closure and long-term stewardship.

The conference program covered a broad spectrum of technical and regulatory topics essential to modern mining operations. Core sessions focused on mine closures and rehabilitation strategies, general tailings management protocols, and emerging technologies for waste containment and treatment. Attendees could expect presentations on social-political perspectives surrounding mine waste, sustainability frameworks, toxicological assessments, brownfield remediation, and evolving regulatory landscapes that impact project planning and execution.

Two specialized sessions highlighted region-specific challenges that resonate throughout Canada's mining sector. The Oil Sands Tailings and Mine Wastes session addressed the unique technical and environmental considerations of Alberta's energy sector, while the Northern Issues session tackled the particular challenges of waste management in Canada's remote and environmentally sensitive northern territories. These sessions provided targeted insights into regulatory compliance, community engagement, and technical solutions for challenging operating environments.

The conference's timing and location in Banff positioned it as a crucial gathering for industry professionals grappling with heightened environmental scrutiny and evolving best practices. With growing public and regulatory focus on tailings management following high-profile failures globally, this event provided essential technical knowledge transfer and networking opportunities for professionals responsible for ensuring safe, sustainable mine waste management across Canada's diverse mining landscape.