The MyTSF dashboard partnership aims to simplify tailings storage facilities (TSFs) monitoring for African mining operations — typically a tedious and error-prone process when carried out using conventional techniques. Capable of delivering verifiable data in near-real time as and when needed, the MyTSF dashboard facilitates TSF compliance.
The ratification of the GISTM has brought the management of tailings storage facilities (TSFs) into a huge spotlight globally, and Africa is no exception. While, as expected, there is an intense focus on operational TSFs, the code has left no stone unturned. For instance, Principle 6 states unequivocally: “Plan, build, and operate the tailings facility to manage risk at all phases of the tailings facility lifecycle, including closure and post-closure.”
The MyTSF Dashboard Partnership
Thus, measures must be adopted to monitor TSFs throughout their lifecycle. In a perfectly timed development, GeoTerra Image (GTI) has teamed up with AssetAssurance Monitoring (AAM) to provide a viable solution: the MyTSF dashboard partnership.
AAM brings global experience in ground monitoring from space to the table. The company’s lead, John Metzger, has worked on earth monitoring projects in Africa.
In a Teams interview with Mining Business Africa, GTI Director, Mark Thompson, lauds AAM as the right partner GTI needs to deliver the most suitable monitoring solution for clients in mining and related sectors. “It is a marriage of agile capabilities. From the get-go, the synergy between the two entities was perfectly matched, and everything fell into place,” he enthuses, upbeat about the opportunities MyTSF will unlock for organisations needing earth monitoring services.
Addressing Demand
The MyTSF dashboard partnership supports near-real-time assessments of legacy, abandoned, operational tailings, and mine impoundments. Without a doubt, it addresses the huge demand for reliable land risk reduction monitoring in sub-Saharan Africa.
However, price and availability remain constraints to access on the continent. Responding to this observation, Metzger explains that MyTSF is precisely what potential clients need. “Our MyTSF dashboard offers a modern, affordable, and scalable, visually exciting view of this vital global challenge — supporting safe use, and user/community awareness.”
Convenience
The MyTSF’s strength lies in its convenience for the end-user. It provides unparalleled awareness of abandoned, legacy, and operating TSFs and mine site impoundments. With a modern and accessible dashboard, sharing intra-weekly site details across one or many sites is seamless. Updates are generated every 5-days, based on the Sentinel-2 overpass schedules.
Typically, the data is accessible as GIS-ready or report-ready graphics available from the dashboard results. Other mine site data — whether from in-situ, IoT, or displacement data from local or remote radar systems — are mutually supported. Differential tailings depositions and local precipitation events are reflected in embankment pressures, potential displacements, and asset anomalies.
More to the point, Metzger underscores that the MyTSF dashboard can track data from space going back in time, utilising the “living data” opportunity. This data then can be disseminated rapidly anywhere remotely.
Actionable Intelligence, Informed Decisions
Thompson underlines the MyTSF dashboard’s distinct aspect: “We don’t sell technology. Instead, we provide actionable intelligence that enables the end-user to make informed decisions. We bring space-generated intelligence to the non-space sector in a way that they understand it best.”
Metzger chimes in, “We create data that all experts involved in a project on the ground can verify or relate to. The data captured can be used in different applications, such as health and safety, production, wildfire, and environmental monitoring.”
Flexible Dashboard Customisation
Unlike other earth monitoring platforms, the dashboard can be produced in a few hours, allowing for rapid client onboarding. The MyTSF dashboard partnership provides flexible customisation, which includes assigning different colours for different mineral ores according to the client’s preferences.
Another significant advantage of engaging the MyTSF dashboard partnership for land risk reduction monitoring is prompt decision-making. This avoids delays associated with red tape at other service providers.
Benefits beyond Risk Reduction
The MyTSF dashboard opens vast opportunities for end-users — mining companies in particular — extending benefits beyond risk reduction. Three areas are noteworthy:i. Employment creation
When organisations have access to reliable data, they may need to hire more personnel to implement data-driven remediation measures, creating employment opportunities.
- Regulatory compliance
Reliable data can improve compliance with the GISTM code and regulations in a particular jurisdiction, such as the water use licences in South Africa. This ensures that mines operate on the right side of the law.
iii. Community and stakeholder relations
Data from MyTSF contributes to and fosters good relations among staff, stakeholders, and the local community. This builds confidence, cementing stakeholder relationships.
Eager to Serve
The MyTSF dashboard team is eager to serve clients in mining and related sectors. They are committed to providing cost-effective, rapid solutions for land monitoring requirements across Africa. “The MyTSF dashboard is a smarter approach to tailings monitoring that clients have never experienced before and will make a big difference.”
AAM is based in Elko, Nevada and Noblesville, Indian (USA) , while GTI is in Pretoria, South Africa. Yet they are able to work seamlessly, demonstrating the possibilities opened by the power of MyTSF dashboard.
