1) Selection of the New Chair ? TC221

The ISSMGE officially launched TC221 in early 2020, coinciding with the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Unfortunately, this led to a significant delay in our activities?approximately 18 months. Considering that the standard term for a TC Chair is four years, it is now time to initiate the selection process for the next Chair of TC221. Interested candidates are invited to submit a short document containing (a) a brief bio  (maximum one page) and (b) a vision statement  outlining proposed future activities for TC221 (maximum one page). These documents will be circulated among the TC221 membership ahead of the voting process.  Applications should be submitted by replying to this message no later than September 30, 2025.

2) Selection of the Venue for the 2nd ICGTMW

As you may recall, the First International Conference on Geotechnics of Tailings and Mine Waste (1-ICGTMW) was held from October 24 to 26, 2023, in Ouro Preto, Minas Gerais, Brazil. In alignment with the objectives of TC221, this event focused on the geotechnical characterization, design, stability, construction, and monitoring of tailings dams and mining waste deposits. Thanks to the strong support of the Brazilian Geotechnical Society, the conference was a great success, attracting over 500 participants, with 30 technical papers by authors from many mining countries, one Honored Lecture and five Keynote Lectures. This conference is planned to be held every four years, with its second version scheduled for 2027. We have already received an offer to host the event at Technische Universit?t M?nchen in Germany. In this context, if there are geotechnical groups interested in organizing the 2nd ICGTMW in 2027, please submit a formal expression of interest by October 2025.

3) Participation in the 21st ICSMGE ? Vienna 2026

The 21st ICSMGE will be held next year in Vienna, with the submission deadline set for this year by August 14, 2025. If there are a sufficient number of papers associated with the TC221 topics, we will request a special session for the selected presentations. Furthermore, during this conference, the elected Chair will be appointed, and a meeting will be held to establish the agenda for the next four-years cycle.