Associated Event

15–17 September 2026 | Sofitel Melbourne On Collins, Melbourne, Australia

Safe Closure and Reclamation for Tailings Storage Facilities: an Operator’s Guide to Effective Planning Workshop

14 September 2026 | Victoria Suites 2&3, Sofitel Melbourne on Collins,  Melbourne, Australia

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About the workshop 

This workshop provides practical tools for strategic alignment in safe closure planning and execution throughout a tailings storage facility (TSF) life cycle. Safe closure and reclamation are critical for ensuring physical and chemical stability, reducing overall risk profile, and minimising post-mining liabilities. 

The workshop will cover integrated planning across life cycle phases, project shaping to meet stakeholder requirements, and governance for legacy TSFs. The approach emphasises risk-based decision-making, regulatory compliance, best practices, and best available technology (BAT) to deliver cost-effective solutions aligned with postmining land use (PMLU) objectives. 

Objectives 

  • Equip participants with practical tools for project scoping and shaping to meet closure goals. 
  • Present a closure framework for effective planning.
  • Offer strategies for internal and external engagement to align with PMLU objectives. 
  • Provide governance approaches for legacy facilities within mining portfolios.  

Topics 

  • Integrated TSF lifecycle planning 
  • Project shaping for stakeholder alignment 
  • Effective stakeholder engagement 
  • Governance for legacy TSFs 
  • Post-mining monitoring and adaptive management  

Who should attend? 

Professionals involved in tailings management including engineers, social practitioners, project teams, and water management specialists.  

Program*

*Program may be subject to change.

Workshop Presenters

George Afriyie
Principal Tailings and Dam Engineer
Newmont

George is the principal, tailings and dams – closure and legacy at Newmont, with approximately 14 years’ experience in the design, operation, management, and closure of tailings storage facilities and water dams. Throughout his career, he has worked across multiple jurisdictions, including Ghana, Canada, and Australia, serving in a variety of technical and leadership roles at both site and enterprise levels.

In his current role, George supports Newmont’s global portfolio, including legacy sites, by providing technical leadership and strategic guidance on tailings management across the different sites. His primary focus in this role includes advancing robust closure planning and execution strategies that promote long-term, safe and sustainable assets.

Jonathan Gillen
Lead Legacy Tailings and Dams
Newmont

Jonathan is a geotechnical engineer with over 15 years’ experience in both industry and consulting, specialising in the mining, remediation, and waste containment sectors. He has contributed to projects across the Americas and Australia, supporting all phases of the facility life cycle – from site selection and characterisation through design, construction, closure, and remediation.

Jonathan holds a master’s degree in civil engineering and is a licensed professional in the USA. Throughout his career, he has served in key leadership and technical roles, including designer of record, responsible tailings facility engineer, and construction manager. Jonathan has also served in strategic advisory capacities on complex reclamation and construction projects.

In his current role, Jonathan serves as Newmont’s legacy sites subject matter expert for tailings, dams, and geotechnical engineering, bringing more than 4 years of focused experience in this capacity.

Rynhard Kok
Director Closure Planning
Newmont 

Rynhard is director of closure planning at Newmont, based in Perth, Australia. With more than 20 years’ international experience across the mining and resources sector, he specialises in integrated mine closure planning, environmental management, and sustainability strategy.

Rynhard leads global closure planning and reclamation initiatives supporting operations across 4 continents, driving the development of closure frameworks, standards, and life-of-asset cost estimates that balance technical, social, environmental, and financial considerations.

He is passionate about embedding closure into core business decision-making throughout the mining life cycle and is actively engaged in industry collaboration through organisations such as ICMM, INAP, and CRC TiME.

John Thompson
Head of Tailings
Newmont

John is the head of tailings and dams at Newmont, with more than 20 years’ global experience in the mining and metals industry, across 6 continents. He brings deep expertise in tailings storage facility governance, dam safety, and technical assurance, with a strong track record overseeing complex mining and processing assets in diverse regulatory and operating environments. John is a trusted advisor to executive leadership and boards on critical risk management, alignment with international standards such as the Global Industry Standard on Tailings Management, and disciplined capital decision-making. He has led independent, confidential technical reviews of major capital projects and portfolios valued between CAD 250 million and over CAD 2 billion, supporting board-level investment decisions, mergers, and acquisitions due diligence.