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

This said, this document has built a case for the strategic relevance of Mining for Closure for both the mining industry and for governments. Key ac- tors on both sides clearly recognise that the very vi- ability of the mining industry is challenged because of high expectations for environmental protection, desires for lower risk to human health, competing land use demands, and the increasing value of the natural environment as recreational space. The survival of the mining industry AND sustainable development of countries in SEE/TRB both require a vibrant industry that society accepts. The previous sections have documented a raft of principles, ideas and guidelines. These address the mining policy development, capacity development and institutional development that need to be ad- dressed in order to ensure the operation of existing and new mining operations in order for cost-effec- tive closure fulfilling acceptable sustainability re- quirements can be achieved. Further, a wide range of ideas for exploration are presented regarding the re-mining or otherwise valorising of abandoned or orphaned sites in order to make safe and/or reme- diate and close them. The earlier analysis and discussions have estab- lished that the way forward must include fostering of institutional frameworks for abandoned or orphaned site management and sustainable mining practices and minerals processing and that this will require immediate and ongoing capacity building for insti- tutional actors as well as significant capacity build- ing among industrial actors . Pursuant to that, the new skills and knowledge among institutional ac- tors must be directed at key tasks of hazard and risk-related uncertainty reduction via focused infor- mation collection and by risk reduction works at abandoned or orphaned sites. Further, new skills and knowledge applied within sound institutional frameworks within all actors must be applied for risk reduction at operational sites and the develop- ment of new resources and re-mining activities that are aligned with sustainable development. All these must include dialogue with key stakeholders such as national and international NGOs, affected citizens, and so forth. This work outlines trends in the expectations of so- ciety and the international community, the general content, and the degree of international uptake of best environmental and social practice in mining in a range of jurisdictions. As such, this should serve to guide National agencies responsible for mineral

As a very foundation to all of this however, are the ex- pectations that mine closure is to provide long-term stabilization of the geochemical and geotechnical conditions of the disturbed mining areas to protect public health, and minimise and prevent any addi- tional or on-going environmental degradation. As such the base environmental expectations are that future public health and safety is not compromised and that environmental resources are not subject to abnor- mal physical and chemical deterioration . These fundamental expectations will not be par- ticularly subject to change. who should act and where? These issues largely require the steady hand (or at least the watchful eye) of good Government. The fact remains that mining companies typically want to serve their shareholders by developing mines, achieving a good financial return for their owners, then leave when production is finished – so that they can continue their line of business elsewhere. Communities on the other hand want to see wealth and income opportunities created that will last over time. It is the role of Government to ensure that these somewhat disparate aims be made synergis- tic. Tradeoffs must be made and they need to be fair and amenable to all parties. when should these actions be taken? The frameworks need to be put in place now. The process of implementing, refining, remodelling and negotiating must be ongoing throughout the lives of mines. 6.6 the way forward This document was created in order to present principles, ideas and guidelines for mining policy development, capacity development and institu- tional development that can yield a sustainable mix of social, economic, and environmental outcomes in the South Eastern European region. It has been generated in recognition of a fundamental divide between the interests of mining companies who typically wish to develop mines, achieve a good re- turn for shareholders, then leave when production is finished and the interests of the communities who desire wealth and income opportunities cre- ated in their midst that will last over time.

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MINING FOR CLOSURE