Sub-sea tailings deposition evaluation guideline

Norsk bergindustri sin rapport nr. 2 (prSN/TR-9432) om Sub-sea tailings deposition evaluation guideline publisert mars 2015.

A guideline for characterization of tailings intended for sub-sea deposition, the deposition site and receiving environment:

- The Water Framework Directive (Directive 2000/60/EC) does not preclude sub-sea tailings deposition (Klima- og forurensningsdirektoratet 2012).

- Deep submarine tailings placement (DSTP) refers to tailings being deposited on the seafloor with a discharge point of more than 100 m depth (Shimmield, 2010).

- The London Protocol applies for all marine waters other than the internal waters of States, and in this respect it thus not apply for sub-sea tailings deposition in Norwegian fjords.

- Papua New Guinea (PNG) is currently the only country that has specific regulations for tailings deposition in the sea. These regulations are for Deep Sea Tailings Placement (DSTP). DSTP is practiced at two operating mines in PNG.