PROJECTS

Integrated mine closure

Kennecott Utah Copper Corporation smelterMining operations are finite. If the industry is to act responsibly the closure of sites must be planned as carefully as their opening.

What happens at a site after it is closed is what ultimately defines its long-term environmental impact and contribution to an area’s social, economic and institutional development.

An integrated approach to closure, which takes the environmental and social considerations into account from an early stage and continues throughout a site’s lifetime, plays a key role in post-closure performance.

What is ICMM doing?

In 2006 ICMM carried out a survey to outline the state of practice within the industry with respect to integrated mine closure planning. The study found that there are numerous examples of leading practice on integrated closure planning, but that there remain a number of areas for further improvement. In addition, more consistent implementation of good practices is required across the sector.

Mining operations are finite - if the industry is to act responsibly the closure of sites must be planned as carefully as their opening

Over the last year, ICMM has developed a toolkit on integrated closure planning aimed at promoting a more disciplined approach and increasing uniformity of good practices across the sector. The toolkit is designed primarily for people who manage and implement mine closure. In order to maximize its usefulness, it has been through several iterations with much input from the ICMM membership.

The toolkit covers the entire mine life cycle. It brings together existing tools (e.g. the ICMM Community Development Toolkit) and develops new ones.

f you to wish to pre-order the publication, please write to info@icmm.com

A summary of the scoping study and the literature review are available to download.


PROJECT DETAILS

ICMM has published a toolkit designed for people who manage and implement mine closure.

Contact

RELATED PUBLICATIONS

Good Practice Guidance for Mining and Biodiversity
Read more
Download PDF

SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT FRAMEWORK
Principle 06:

Seek continual improvement of our environmental performance

© International Council on Mining and Metals 2008. The ICMM logo is a trade mark of the International Council on Mining and Metals. Registered in the United Kingdom, Australia and Japan.