A guide to leading practice sustainable development in mining
A guide to leading practice sustainable development in mining
A guide to leading practice sustainable development in mining
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The company was fortunate <strong>to</strong> have an active community consultative group <strong>in</strong> place<br />
at the time of the m<strong>in</strong>e closure. Membership of the Beenup Consultative Group<br />
(BCG) comprised Shire representatives, landowners, and bus<strong>in</strong>ess and conservation<br />
group representatives.<br />
To assist the community consideration of various rehabilitation concepts, BHP Billi<strong>to</strong>n<br />
prepared visual impressions of preferred options. The BCG played a significant role<br />
<strong>in</strong> the selection of the preferred rehabilitation option from a number of options put<br />
forward. Follow<strong>in</strong>g option selection BHP Billi<strong>to</strong>n commenced preparation of a detailed<br />
Rehabilitation Plan for consideration by the Western Australian Government. The BCG<br />
also assisted <strong>in</strong> identify<strong>in</strong>g key issues <strong>to</strong> be dealt with <strong>in</strong> the implementation process<br />
and provided a communication channel for Government <strong>to</strong> obta<strong>in</strong> feedback on aspects<br />
of the plan (see LP Closure p.35). S<strong>in</strong>ce completion of the earthworks and revegetation<br />
activities, both Government and community ma<strong>in</strong>ta<strong>in</strong> confidence and ownership <strong>in</strong> the<br />
progress of the rehabilitation project and the community are well familiar with and<br />
speak with some authority on the pr<strong>in</strong>ciples and progress <strong>to</strong>wards susta<strong>in</strong>ability.<br />
Figure 5.8 – Beenup m<strong>in</strong>e, 3 years after closure<br />
Community liaison or advisory groups established specifically for the m<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>g project<br />
can help the operation focus its engagement program. The Martha m<strong>in</strong>e <strong>in</strong> New<br />
Zealand provides a model example. The key outcome of the Martha m<strong>in</strong>e closure<br />
process has been <strong>to</strong> provide a broader opportunity for the community <strong>to</strong> be much<br />
more proactive <strong>in</strong> work<strong>in</strong>g <strong>to</strong>wards the long-term social, environmental, cultural<br />
and economic susta<strong>in</strong>ability of the <strong>to</strong>wn. The committee has subsequently renamed<br />
itself Waihi Community Vision, formed various work<strong>in</strong>g groups <strong>to</strong> focus on particular<br />
projects, and established an organisational structure <strong>to</strong> br<strong>in</strong>g community ideas <strong>to</strong><br />
fruition (see LP Community p.26).<br />
140 LEADING PRACTICE SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM FOR THE MINING INDUSTRY