Publication Name

MINING FOR CLOSURE

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.

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.

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.

68. Applicable in varying degrees according to the specific mor-

phology of a mining operation.