KOLWEZI, DRC – 30 September 2026 – Kamoa Copper has published its Global Industry Standard on Tailings Management (GISTM) Public Disclosure for the Kakula Tailings Storage Facility (TSF), providing information for midyear 2026 on the facility’s design, management, monitoring, risk assessment, emergency preparedness and GISTM conformance.
In alignment with Kamoa’s core safety values and the Group Tailings Policy, this disclosure reflects Kamoa Copper’s commitment to transparency regarding the management and safety of its tailings storage facilities, environmental stewardship, and the protection of our host communities in the Lualaba Province.
Adopting the Highest Global Benchmarks
The GISTM framework, co-convened by the ICMM, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), and the Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI), represents the highest global safety benchmark for tailings management. The GISTM framework encompasses 15 principles and 77 auditable requirements across six topic areas, covering the entire facility lifecycle from initial site selection through to final closure.
“The Kakula TSF is critical infrastructure for the Kamoa-Kakula operation,” said Chriss Kabongo, Engineer responsible for Tailing Facility Management. “Our dual-stream tailings strategy not only maximizes operational efficiency by repurposing tailings for underground backfill but also ensures that the remaining volume is stored in a facility engineered for ultimate stability and environmental protection.”
Engineered for Extreme Resilience
Classified as a “High” Consequence facility under GISTM, the Kakula TSF is designed with safety as the paramount objective. The facility utilizes a full-containment valley dam with downstream-raised embankments.
Key engineering and operational safeguards detailed in the disclosure include:
- Extreme Weather Preparedness: The facility includes a closure spillway designed to safely pass a 1-in-10,000-year storm event, preventing overtopping or erosion.
- Water Management: Clean upstream runoff is diverted away from the TSF via an excavated canal, while internal supernatant pools are managed by floating pump systems to keep water safely away from the main embankment.
- Phased Construction: Construction is managed in phases to ensure the facility always maintains at least 12 months of surplus storage capacity. Currently, Cell 1 is active, with deposition to Cells 2 and 3 scheduled for second half of-2026.
Rigorous Independent Oversight
Kamoa Copper utilizes a multi-tiered assurance framework to validate the facility’s performance.
The Engineer of Record (EoR), Epoch Resources, provides continuous design oversight with quarterly site inspections. Furthermore, independent technical reviews are conducted annually by Knight Piésold South Africa.
The most recent technical review, conducted in November 2025, confirmed that the facility maintained its stability targets, seepage was effectively controlled, and pore pressures remained within safe operational limits.
Continuous Improvement and Conformance
The July 2026 assessment found that Kakula TSF achieved an overall GISTM conformance level of 84%, with 69 of the 77 requirements fully met. Kamoa Copper is actively addressing the remaining requirements through structured action plans, demonstrating a progressive and continuous improvement in alignment with global best practices.
Protecting Communities and Human Rights
Beyond physical engineering, Kamoa Copper places a strong emphasis on human rights due diligence and emergency preparedness. The published disclosure outlines our comprehensive Tailings Storage Facility Emergency Preparedness and Response Plan (EPRP), which includes structured evacuation protocols, trigger action response plans (TARPs), and regular dam breach simulations involving external stakeholders.
Furthermore, we have implemented a comprehensive Environmental and Social Monitoring Programme that tracks surface and groundwater quality, air quality, biodiversity, and geotechnical stability. This is supported by an accessible, community-focused Grievance Management Procedure, ensuring that local stakeholders have a direct, transparent channel to voice concerns and receive feedback.
Read the Full Disclosure
Kamoa Copper invites stakeholders, investors, regulators, and the public to review the full GISTM Public Disclosure document to understand the rigorous protocols governing the Kakula TSF.
Download the Kakula TSF GISTM Public Disclosure (PDF)