Sustainability in management for unsaturated mine tailings dams amidst climate change

The unsaturated properties of mine tailings establish a vital foundation for sustainable mining operations in a changing climate. This research aims to evaluate the physical and socio-environmental opportunities and risks associated with managing unsaturated mine tailings through climate-change-driven stewardship, with the ultimate objective of enhancing the sustainability and resilience of tailings storage facilities (TSFs). A total of 16 high-quality articles were selected following a rigorously conducted literature-based approach. These articles were selected based on their empirical and case-study focus on climate stressors, geotechnical performance, and sustainable tailings management procedures. The main findings indicate that enhanced precipitation, hot extreme temperatures, and degradation of permafrost have a combined effect that causes the structural integrity of TSFs to be eroded, thus increasing the risks of seepage, erosion, and collapse. The Fundão, Brumadinho and Mount Polley events clearly show that such climatic impact can cause long-term environmental pollution and extensive social chaos. Simultaneously, modern technologies, specifically, the increased laboratory characterisation, the improved numerical studies (e.g., SEEP/W, PLAXIS), innovative sensor networks, and the Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) observations have enhanced the ability to pre-empt and treat climate threats of tailings. Such remediating factors as microbial-induced calcite precipitation (MICP), multilayer cover and electro-dewatering measures have been empirically proven to strengthen the stability of dams and reduce ecological effects. The study proposes recommendations that accommodate real-time climate predictions and hydrological monitoring towards the TSF design. In addition, it promotes a new multidisciplinary paradigm that integrates geotechnical engineering, climate sciences and environmental health.