Publication Name

MINING FOR CLOSURE

preface

In the debate on what role the environment plays

in causing or resolving conflict, the partnership of

international organizations working on the “Envi-

ronment and Security” initiative takes a pragmatic

position. We focus on participatory assessments

and targeted follow-up activities in conflict-prone

areas and believe that we can help communicate to

achieve environmentally sound development and

peace on the ground.

Conducting assessments of transboundary envi-

ronmental risks in Central Asia, the Caucasus and

South Eastern Europe we have concluded that min-

ing both in terms of legacies and future planning

needs special attention. Environmental protection,

human health risks, competition for land have in-

creasingly to be taken into consideration in mining

regulation and practice. Positive trends are visible:

project planning and conduct of mine operations

to facilitate environmentally and socially acceptable

closure have evolved significantly in recent years.

In this context, we are happy to present the EN-

VSEC publication:

“Mining for Closure – Policies and

guidelines for sustainable mining practice and closure

of mines”

. It is intended as a checklist and guide-

book on “best practices” related to mining, useful

for an audience far beyond the mining industry, in-

cluding government, NGOs, international organi-

zations and the general public.

“Mining for Closure”

was first presented to a broader

group of experts and politicians in a sub-regional

Ministerial Conference, in Cluj Napoca, Romania

in May 2005. The participants welcomed and en-

dorsed the report as “a guide and checklist for re-

ducing and mitigating the environmental, health

and security risks from mining practices” in the

‘Cluj Declaration’ issued at the conference.

We see in

“Mining for Closure”

something like a re-

cipie for stimulating debate and public accountabil-

ity of mining legacies and operations. Through ap-

plying the basic principles and guidelines, not only

mining will become environmentally and socially

more sustainable, it may also result in more de-

mocracy, increased wellbeing and security of those

directly and indirectly affected.

Frits Schlingemann

Ben Slay

Bernard Snoy

Chris DeWispelaere

Director and Regional Representative, UNEP Regional Office for Europe

Director, UNDP Bratislava Regional Office

Co-ordinator of OSCE Economic and Environmental Activities

Director, NATO Security Through Science Programme