Topic - The Human Cost of Tailings Dam Failures: Lessons from the Past, Implications for the Future
Background
Tailings dam failures have devastating consequences for communities, causing loss of life, displacement, and long-term environmental damage. This panel discussion will bring together experts, community leaders, and government representatives to examine the human impact of tailings dam failures, highlighting lessons from past incidents and implications for the future.
The discussion will explore the human cost of tailings dam failures, including community displacements, health effects, and economic losses. Panelists will share case studies of past tailings dam failures and discuss the short-term and long-term consequences for affected communities. The discussion will also examine the role of industry, government, and regulatory bodies in preventing tailings dam failures and mitigating their impacts.
Key topics to be discussed include the human rights implications of tailings dam failures, the importance of community engagement and participation in tailings dam management, and the need for stronger regulations and enforcement mechanisms to prevent such disasters.
Key Questions:
- What are the human costs of tailings dam failures, and how can they be mitigated?
- What are the lessons from past tailings dam failures, and how can they inform future policy and practice?
- What are the implications of tailings dam failures for the future of the mining industry, and how can companies and governments work together to prevent such disasters?
Centre for Environment Justice
Website: https://cejzambia.org/
Centre for Environment Justice (CEJ) is an outstanding institution with its own unique identity and a proud distinct history in Zambia. CEJ is a non-governmental organization established in 2010 whose mandate is to create platforms and processes that promote environmental justice for most vulnerable people in society. Anchored on this mandate, CEJ fosters access to quality and accurate information on environmental protection, extractive industries, sustainable energy, climate change, water security and agriculture with the ultimate aim of enhancing accountability for better decision making and sustainable development as well as a support safe and adaptive environment as basic fundamental human rights to having a better and prosperous livelihood.
Greenpeace Africa
Website Link: https://www.greenpeace.org/africa/en/
Greenpeace Africa is a regional environmental advocacy organisation that campaigns for the protection of Africa’s ecosystems, climate justice, and sustainable natural resource management. It works to raise awareness and mobilise communities around environmental issues, including deforestation, mining impacts, pollution, and climate change, influencing policy and corporate behavior. Through research, advocacy and public outreach, Greenpeace Africa seeks to hold governments and companies accountable for environmental damage and to safeguard the rights of affected communities. The organisation champions a vision of sustainable development where human wellbeing and ecological systems are balanced.
Zambia Disaster Management and Mitigation Unit (DMMU)
Website: https://www.ovp.gov.zm/?page_id=6756
The Zambia Disaster Management and Mitigation Unit is the national institution responsible for coordinating disaster preparedness, response, and mitigation efforts across Zambia. It works to assess disaster risks such as floods, droughts, and environmental hazards, and develop strategies to reduce vulnerability and build resilience. The DMMU partners with government agencies, local authorities and communities to implement early warning systems, disaster risk reduction programs, and emergency response plans. Its mission is to safeguard lives, property and livelihoods by enhancing Zambia’s capacity to anticipate, respond to and recover from disasters and crises.
Earthworks International
Website: https://earthworks.org/
Earthworks International is a global organisation committed to promoting environmental justice, community rights, and sustainable resource extraction practices. It engages with affected communities, policymakers and stakeholders to advocate for responsible mining and to reduce the negative social and environmental impacts of extractive industries. Earthworks International conducts research, campaigns against harmful mining operations, and supports alternative approaches that respect human rights, ecological integrity and community wellbeing. The organisation aims to ensure that local people, particularly marginalized and vulnerable groups, have a say in decisions around resource development and are protected from exploitation.
Conservation Advocates Zambia
Conservation Advocates Zambia is a civil society organisation focused on protecting Zambia’s natural heritage including wildlife, forests, wetlands and other ecosystems, and promoting sustainable environmental conservation. It works with communities, government agencies, and stakeholders to raise awareness about biodiversity loss, habitat degradation and the importance of ecological balance. Through advocacy, education, and community engagement, Conservation Advocates Zambia seeks to foster stewardship of natural resources and encourage environmentally responsible practices. The organisation also supports efforts to reconcile conservation goals with community livelihoods, aiming for sustainability that benefits both nature and people.
Moderator: Transparency International Zambia
Website: https://tizambia.org.zm/
Transparency International Zambia is the national chapter of a global anti-corruption movement, working to promote transparency, accountability, and good governance within public institutions, private sector, and civil society in Zambia. It monitors corruption risk, advocates for anti-corruption laws and policies, and pushes for enforcement of transparency and ethical standards across governance systems. By empowering citizens, advocating policy reforms, and raising public awareness, the organisation seeks to reduce corruption’s negative impacts on development, resource management, and public trust. Transparency International Zambia plays a critical role in building an environment where institutions are accountable, and public resources are managed in the interest of all citizens.
