Donmatías, Antioquia, Colombia: Swiss Better Gold supported the enlargement and reinforcement of the tailing ponds in El Coral Mine, that were affected by heavy rains in 2021. This environmental project supports the mine’s tailings management, preventing leakages and spills.

El Coral mine is located in the department of Antioquia in Colombia. It employs 26 people and has been part of the Swiss Better Gold Initiative since 2019.

In a mine, tailings are the left-over material after the gold has been separated from other material. Tailing ponds, the ponds in which this material is stored and treated, can be dangerous sources of toxic chemicals when not appropriately managed. Their appropriate management is crucial to a gold mine, and one of the Swiss Better Gold Criteria.

In 2021, heavy rains caused landslides and floods that affected El Coral’s mining operations, especially the tailing ponds. The landslides reduced the ponds’ capacity, causing occasional spillages into the environment, which were actively monitored by the mine. However, in this condition, the tailing ponds represented an environmental risk because of possible contamination of local water bodies. There was also an operational risk due to possible sanctions from the environmental authority.

In order to control these risks, El Coral installed a wastewater treatment plant. Nonetheless, the dried sludge continued to fill up the ponds and the tailing ponds needed further improvements which were facilitated by this project.

Date of project completion:

The enlargement of the tailing ponds and the improvement of their protection membrane and walls started in April 2023 and was completed on the 31th of July 2023.

Project Sustainability:

El Coral’s staff is trained to operate the Wastewater Treatment Plant and to manage the tailing ponds. The mining operation will ensure their maintenance and their inspection.