%0 Conference Paper %A Latham, C.L. %A Lazo-Skold, C. %D 2019 %T Problematic pit: closure liability to operational opportunity %P 1241-1254 %E A.B. Fourie & M. Tibbett %C Perth %8 3-5 September 2019 %B Mine Closure 2019: Proceedings of the 13th International Conference on Mine Closure %X This paper presents a case study of an innovative solution to a problematic mined-out pit in the Pilbara region of Western Australia. The pit presented significant closure challenges, being deep, below water table and with approximately 17% of potentially acid forming (PAF) lithology on the final pit shell. Numerous closure strategy options have been under consideration; however, a new strategy of backfilling the pit with process tailings has been identified. Modelling predicts that the tailings will cover a large proportion of the PAF lithology leading to improved water quality conditions and will also fill the pit to a level that prevents the formation of a permanent pit lake. Furthermore, the initiative will negate the need for construction of further ex-pit tailings capacity and prevent the associated environmental impacts. Significant cost savings in tailings facility construction, tailings deposition and closure implementation are anticipated. Regulatory approval of the in-pit tailings facility is required, and consultation has commenced. %K pit lake %K tailings %K potentially acid forming waste %K acid mine drainage %K closure %1 Perth %I Australian Centre for Geomechanics %U https://papers.acg.uwa.edu.au/p/1915_98_Latham/ %R 10.36487/ACG_rep/1915_98_Latham