Welcome to Safety4TMF

Mining activities generate hazardous residues, often transported by hydraulic methods, deposited and handled in Tailings Management Facilities (TMFs). The Danube River Basin (DRB) has 300+ TMFs that need special attention to avoid serious and often transnational disasters such as Baia Mare (2000, RO), or Kolontár (2010, HU). 

TMF safety incorporates multi-level governance actors, multidisciplinary approach and highly complex solutions integrating all levels, actors and DRB countries. SAFETY4TMF – one of the 2022 EUSDR Flagships hosted by the Environmental Risks Priority Area, and confirmed with their Letter of Recommendation - aims to enhance the prevention, preparedness and disaster management activities of potential transnational TMF-related risks in the DRB, with special focus on optimised cooperation of multi-level governance actors, including authorities, municipalities, first responders and others.

In order to establish a solid fundament, SAFETY4TMF will analyse policies and procedures, stakeholders and cooperation practices, and map existing TMFs. Built on these, it will enhance and harmonize national and transnational capacity building, and follow a practice-oriented, targeted knowledge-exchange and co-development approach with on- and offline trainings, workshops, conferences, peer-review visits and co-working for transnational actions and applicable solutions improving TMF safety.

SAFETY4TMF generates knowledge and experience from pilot actions of transnational importance (advanced risk modelling and enhanced spatial plans; monitoring of tailing management facilities; coordination and preparedness procedures concerning TMF safety in the DRB) will feed into the policy and practice improvement at levels. The diverse partnership of ministries, municipalities, sectoral/academic actors and thematic NGOs backed by international organizations makes SAFETY4TMF capable of increasing safety of TMFs in the DRB via applicable solutions and improved, more supportive local, national and macroregional policies.