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Integrated Mine Closure: Good Practice Guide (2nd edition)

5 February 2019

Integrated mine closure is a dynamic and iterative process that considers environmental, social and economic aspects at an early stage of mine development.

  • This document is intended to promote a disciplined approach to integrated closure planning and increase the uniformity of good practice across the sector. The concepts apply equally to both large and small mining companies.
  • Integrated mine closure is a dynamic and iterative process that considers environmental, social and economic factors from an early stage of mine development and throughout the life of an asset. Fundamental to this process is the need to consider closure as an integral part of the mine operations’ core business. The structure of the guide reflects this process, providing good practice guidance to key elements of mine closure planning and implementation.
  • It uses a risk and opportunity-based process to guide the practitioner through the iterative process of planning for final and progressive closure in a considered manner, as well as tactics for considering sudden or temporary closure.
  • A balanced closure approach fully incorporated into mine planning activities will lead to better outcomes across a range of considerations, including health, safety, social, environmental, legal, governance and human resources. Effective closure planning results in:
    • Consistent and transparent engagement with stakeholders.
    • Community participation in planning and implementing actions that underpin successful closure.
    • Stakeholder support of closure decisions.
    • Better management of closure throughout the mining life cycle.
    • More accurate closure cost estimates.
    • Early identification of risks and mitigation strategies.
    • Progressive reduction of liabilities.
    • Working towards an agreed-upon vision for the post-closure period.
    • A better social transition for affected stakeholders as the mine moves from operations to closure.
    • Opportunities for lasting benefits being recognised and planned for adequately.