Dataset for: Environmental adaptive management: application on submarine mine tailings disposal

Marine tailings disposal from mineral production is expected to have an environmental impact. In this case study we use a discharge of limestone processing tailings to a Norwegian fjord to describe an adaptive management process. The aim of the paper is to describe the development of an environmental adaptive management system, contrasted with management simply based on the quantity of the discharge. The main driver for developing a new management system for the submarine tailings deposits was a desire to establish a system based on what was perceived as important to all stakeholders, i.e. environmental impact. Involvement of stakeholders is essential, and a resource group with members from fisheries, local interest organizations, scientists, independent experts and managers from the mining company jointly defined common sets of acceptance criteria to evaluate impact. Introduction of an environmental adaptive management system has resulted in a change in the company’s view of the impact their activity has on the environment, and an increased willingness to initiate monitoring and research to reduce knowledge gaps, uncertainty and impact on the marine environment. Environmental adaptive management has facilitated the development of a more ecologically relevant, integrated and focused submarine tailings deposits management.