Mining for Closure: Policies, practises and guidelines for sustainable mining and closure of mines

Retreat in disarray – changes in external and/or internal economic factors that make reserves un- workable prior to anticipated closure time – in the absence of planning and provision for closure such situations are likely to result in mining legacies. Further, this scenario suggests the potential for ongoing legal action (or similar) where authorities seek to recover some of the likely cost for the con- duct of adequate decommissioning and rehabilita- tion works. The successful conduct of such legal processes (and/or conduct of mine site rehabilita- tion) may however be unlikely, particularly where a mining company has already gone into receiver- ship or become insolvent. Dereliction of duty – experiences around the globe indicate that dereliction of legal or moral duty by mining organizations has taken place in the past and can be anticipated in the future. In such sce- narios, the potential for closure/rehabilitation ac- countability may lead an organization to engage in asset stripping (or other) activities aiming to re- move recoverable assets that may have been avail- able to pay for closure from the reach of governing bodies. While this scenario again suggests the po- tential for ongoing legal action (or similar) where authorities seek to recover some of the likely cost for the conduct of adequate decommissioning and rehabilitation works, the conduct of such processes will likely be more difficult than even in the pre- vious scenario. Here deliberate criminal (or mor- ally delinquent actions) are again likely to leave the state with an abandoned or orphaned site to add to its ledgers. Throughout this document it has been argued that only the first three of the above scenarios are ac- ceptable. Mining for Closure approaches represent the only manner in which this situation can be achieved. This however, represents a major chal- lenge for all jurisdictions as Clark et al . (2000) summarise below: Comprehensive mine closure for abandonedmines, presently operating mines, and future mines re- mains a major challenge for virtually every min- ing nation in the world. To accommodate the need to close abandoned mines and to ensure that exist- ing and future mines are appropriately closed will require the cooperation of a diverse stakeholder community, new and innovative methods of en- hancing closure and major policy and legislative change in most nations to ensure post-mining sus- tainable development.

In the context of SEE/TRB and regional neigh- bours, rapidly changing economic conditions, and socio-political upheaval have caused cessation of ac- tivities, or are causing cessation for a large number of mines. In general it can be said that such cessa- tion (or at least moves into care and maintenance regimes) has often been at short notice and before adequate planning for closure has been carried out (Smith & Underwood, 2000). Following the listing of potential reasons for mine activity cessation listed above, five possible scenar- ios for the cessation of activity/closure – and their implications can be generated in order to highlight differing paths and outcomes. Note that this is just a sample of the potential outcomes that may arise. Ordered advance and completion – integrated mine planning and sound management of the financial aspects of mine planning, including provisions for closure can result in the conduct of mining essen- tially from the pre-mining planning stage until the economic depletion of mineable reserves. Economic depletion is followed by completion of decommission- ing and rehabilitation works that have been conduct- ed in an ongoing fashion (progressive rehabilitation) during mine life. 68 When conducted “according to plan”, this scenario results in physical and chemical stability of environmental resources, protection of public health and beneficial and sustainable after-use of the site in the long term (and so forth). Strategic re-visioning of final mine-life years – exist- ing and ongoing mining operations commenced in the absence of Mining for Closure practices still have options for the incorporation of mine closure plan- ning and the management of the financial aspects of closure in the years that remain until expected eco- nomic depletion of mineable reserves. While the op- tions available, and the ease, effectiveness and effi- ciency of decommissioning and rehabilitation works are likely to be less than in a “planned for closure mine”, this scenario can still result in the desired closure outcomes listed in the previous scenario. Ordered retreat – changes in external and/or in- ternal economic factors that make reserves un- workable prior to anticipated closure time – in the presence of planning and provision for closure an “ordered retreat” can result in adequate and accept- able decommissioning and rehabilitation works.

68. Applicable in varying degrees according to the specific mor- phology of a mining operation.

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MINING FOR CLOSURE