More research needed


More scientific research needs to be done to understand and assess the environmental impacts of wastes from mining operations which have been disposed into the marine environment, a new report shows. The Joint Group of Experts on the Scientific Aspects of Marine Environmental Protection (GESAMP) report, “Impacts of mine tailings in the marine environment”, provides the findings of an international workshop held in Peru. The report noted that there are major gaps to be addressed in the scientific understanding of the behaviour of mine tailings in the sea at depths greater than 20 m to 80 m and consequently the short and long-term impacts on the marine environment. Since the workshop, GESAMP has established a dedicated working group to assess the environmental impacts, under the co-lead of the International Maritime Organization and UN Environment.