BIOMOre Stress Tests

Challenge the practice is addressing: Mines or waste management facilities can be confronted with extreme conditions and events. What precautions can be taken to be adequately prepared for such events?

Concrete practice to achieve the expected goal: A stress test for Talvivaara mine after the accident in 2012 is used as the example. The method for the stress test was based on the stress test designed for nuclear power plants by the European Nuclear Safety Regulators Group (ENSREG 2011) and involves identification of potential but extreme stress factors by an expert group or using risk analysis. The prepardness of the organisation to mitigate the impacts of the extreme stress is also evaluated.

Expected impact/goal of the practice: The aim is to ensure that the environment will be protected as much as possible in the event of an extreme event. The stress test is intended to identify the strengths and weaknesses of an existing operation and its management in order to be able to subsequently respond in an appropriate manner.

Who is the target user group of the practice/intervention or implementing the practice/intervention? Authorities and policy makers. They are the ones who will implement the stress tests. Industry: In the end, it is the companies that need to be prepared for extreme events.