July 23, 2024, Lima Peru – Engineering Manager Rubén Vargas of Knight Piésold Peru was engaged in a panel discussion at the 1st International Congress on Tailings and Water, a prestigious event held from July 18 to 19 at the College of Engineers of Peru in Lima.

The panel session titled, "Global Industry Standard on Tailings Management (GISTM) and Its Application in Peru," was organized by the congress in collaboration with the British Embassy in Lima. The session was a follow up to an event held by the British Embassy in Lima in May 2024, where GISTM and its implementation in Peru were introduced and explored, respectively. The aim of this session was to delve deeper into various aspects of GISTM and its innovative approach, from design to project closure, addressing challenges in applying this standard to Peruvian projects.

Moderated by Giorgio Baglietto, Business Development Manager at the British Embassy in Lima, the panel featured Vargas alongside two other distinguished speakers. All three had also participated in the British Embassy’s previous event, where Vargas presented on the “Challenges in the Design and Management of Tailings Deposits.”

During the panel, key topics on the implementation of GISTM in Peru were discussed, highlighting the need to respect the rights of all people affected by the projects and to achieve their meaningful participation in all phases of the project lifecycle. Principles such as creating an integrated and interdisciplinary knowledge base and the importance of adequately planning, designing, constructing, operating, and monitoring tailings deposits were also discussed.

Vargas emphasized the importance of formal knowledge management, explaining:

"Knowledge base is associated with preserving relevant information on the management of a tailings deposit, from designs to lessons learned. It is crucial to have this knowledge properly managed to react to any deviations during the operation of the deposit."

Additionally, Vargas highlighted the need to promote resilient and adaptable designs:

"It is not about affecting designs but about promoting resilient designs capable of being adjusted to greater demands. Continuous monitoring and learning allow for informed adjustments to the design."

Vargas' participation in the congress underscores Knight Piésold’s commitment to advancing industry standards and global knowledge exchange. His perspectives on the application of GISTM in Peru reflect the company’s dedication to developing responsible mining practices, focusing on safety and sustainability in tailings management and aligning with the highest global standards.

Vargas added, “We look forward to continuing our collaborative efforts in promoting safety, innovation, and knowledge sharing within the industry.”