Ed Toms. Image: GTMI.

The Global Tailings Management Institute (GTMI), an independent organization dedicated to improving the safety of mine tailings facilities, announced Monday the appointment of its Chief Executive Officer, Ed Toms, and the establishment of a Technical Committee. 

Both announcements follow a thorough process of review and selection led by the GTMI’s Board of Directors, with support from its co-founders. Inaugural CEO Engineering and sustainability leader Ed Toms will spearhead the GTMI’s five-year strategy to scale the organisation and create sustainable change across mine tailings facilities globally.  

He brings more than 40 years of experience advancing complex organizations and delivering high-consequence infrastructure programs that strengthen resilience and sustainability across the energy, water, and mining sectors.  

Toms is known for building high performance teams, and turning strategy into measurable outcomes by aligning governance, finance, risk, and operations to deliver safe and community positive results. 

Toms is the founder of Journey Engineering LLC and a senior executive with decades of experience in mining, dams, and critical infrastructure. He’s held several leadership roles in global professional services and project delivery organisations. He serves on the board of the United States Society on Dams (USSD) and contributes to various committees focused on DEI, climate resilience, workforce development, and inclusive stakeholder engagement. 

“It is an honour to lead the Global Tailings Management Institute as its first CEO,” Toms said in a news release. 

 “The establishment of this Institute serves as a critical turning point for responsible tailings management. The GTMI will help ensure that the Global Industry Standard on Tailings Management (GISTM) is widely implemented across facilities globally and supported by a robust assurance framework.

As the inaugural CEO, I’m looking forward to ramping up the Institute’s core activities, helping to appoint qualified auditors, and welcoming signatories and supporters,” Toms said.