How Data Riders transformed periodic audits into continuous governance by applying AI to the 77 requirements of the Global Industry Standard on Tailings Management.
In many operations, tailings governance programs depend on fragmented documents, manual evidence collection, and slow compliance reviews. GISTM.ai, developed by Data Riders, directly addresses this challenge: it turns documentation, evidence, and compliance checks into a continuous, AI-assisted workflow.
Adherence to the Global Industry Standard on Tailings Management (GISTM) is now the international benchmark for dam safety and tailings management. In practice, however, operations contend with three persistent pain points:
- Evidence scattered across multiple systems, folders, and spreadsheets.
- Lengthy, expensive audits concentrated within specific windows of the year.
- Low visibility into the actual effectiveness of controls between audits.
Principle 11 of the GISTM, focused on communication, continuous learning, and early problem identification, further reinforces the need for a live governance model rather than just an annual report.
- GISTM.ai is a platform developed by Data Riders to apply artificial intelligence to adherence to the Global Industry Standard on Tailings Management, with an explicit focus on Principle 11: communication, continuous learning, and early problem identification.
- The platform collects and processes large volumes of operational and technical data in real time, enabling predictive and dynamic risk management for dams and geotechnical structures.
- At launch, GISTM.ai was introduced as an intelligent audit platform for GISTM compliance, positioned to reduce the complexity, time, and cost of audit processes across GISTM's 77 requirements.
- Two deployment models are documented: managed SaaS and dedicated/private deployment on AWS, with security and privacy layers suited for enterprise clients.
Sources: Data Riders internal case study materials, GISTM.ai launch assets, and the GISTM.ai Security & Privacy Overview document. Metrics, screenshots, and client-approved quotes will be added following validation.
Data Riders designed, developed, and operates GISTM.ai as an intelligent audit platform focused on GISTM compliance. The product design combines three layers:
Evidence processing
Ingestion and analysis of large volumes of operational and technical data to automatically map evidence to the standard's 77 requirements.
Gap identification
Automated analysis that flags gaps, outdated evidence, and points requiring priority action, without waiting for the next audit.
Security and deployment
Two operating models: SaaS on a managed platform and dedicated private cloud deployment, with security and privacy layers suited to enterprise contexts.
- Mapping of the 77 GISTM requirements and evidence traceability by principle and requirement.
- Executive dashboard showing compliance status, critical gaps, and trends over time.
- Audit reports generated with methodological consistency and reduced preparation time.
- Intelligent alerts for expiring evidence, weak controls, and requirements with low coverage.
- Continuous learning aligned with the intent of GISTM Principle 11.
The consolidated value proposition of GISTM.ai is:
- Safer, more auditable operations, with consistently up-to-date evidence.
- Stronger knowledge management, connecting technical teams and leadership.
- Reduced complexity, time, and cost for audit processes.
- Decreased reliance on fragmented systems and long review cycles.
GISTM.ai combines mining governance expertise with applied AI engineering, shifting compliance from a periodic model (sample-based auditing) to a continuous model (live assurance). It is a practical example of how Data Riders integrates methodology, international standards, and technology: a foundation that also appears in other cases in this collection.
Multi-jurisdictional tailings assurance
Monthly assurance program for a dam portfolio with bilingual operations.
Reliable Assurance framework
Health index, live evidence, and monthly executive pack for TSFs.
GISTM audit with AI
Structured reports with prioritized gaps and actionable recommendations.
