Measures for the Prevention and Control of Environmental Pollution Caused by Tailings.

These Measures aim to protect environment, prevent and control environmental pollution caused by tailings. The Measures consist of 35 Articles divided into 5 Chapters: General Provisions; Pollution Prevention and Control; Supervision and Administration; Penalties; Supplementary Provisions.
The term "tailings" as mentioned in these Provisions refers to the waste generated in the process of ore dressing and wet smelting.
The Measures stipulates that the tailings operation and management unit shall establish and improve the system for the investigation and treatment of potential pollution hazards in tailings, and regularly organize the investigation and management of potential pollution hazards in tailings; if potential pollution hazards are discovered, they shall formulate plans and take timely measures to eliminate hidden dangers. At the same time, the operation and management unit of the tailings is required to find out signs of pollution such as leakage or elevated content of pollutants in the soil and groundwater around the tailings during environmental monitoring and other activities, carry out environmental investigations and risk assessments in accordance with relevant national regulations, and take measures such as risk management and control or restoration based on the results of investigations and risk assessments.