A guide to leading practice sustainable development in mining

5.0 MINE REHABILITATION AND CLOSURE
Figure 5.1 - Agricola Mine in Queensland before and after rehabilitation (courtesy of SMI)
Key Messages
All mines close and many close prematurely. Mine management needs
to develop and implement mine closure planning. Taking a more
integrated approach to mine closure planning, and doing it earlier,
can achieve effective mine closure and completion, and ameliorate
the negative effects of unexpected or unplanned closures.
Community engagement at the earliest possible time is essential. The goal
should be community ownership as the community will inherit the project
eventually. Community liaison or advisory groups established specifically for
the mining project can help the operation focus its engagement program.
Rehabilitation planning and implementation need to take place early and progressively
throughout the life of the mine. Leading practice techniques can provide guidance for
successful landform design, topsoil usage and revegetation outcomes.
Costing for closure and rehabilitation is essential and tools are available
to calculate realistic costs.
Risks (to company reputation etc) are significant and are long term in nature
and companies can expect to have rehabilitation and closure liabilities long
after production has ceased. Quantitative and qualitative risk assessment
techniques to demonstrate to the community and regulators that closure issues
have been identified and an appropriate security deposit can be calculated.
Leading practice biodiversity management goes beyond minimising
long-term impacts from operations. It identifies opportunities
for improvement in the lease and adjacent areas by introducing
innovative and sustainable land management practices.
Leading practice techniques during the operation of the mine will reduce
the potential for long term issues associated with acid mine drainage.
A GUIDE TO LEADING PRACTICE SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT IN MINING 131