Simpson, GB, Ferguson, K, Slingerland, N & Hattingh, R 2024, 'Integrating the Sustainable Development Goals into post-mining land use selection', in AB Fourie, M Tibbett & G Boggs (eds), Mine Closure 2024: Proceedings of the 17th International Conference on Mine Closure, Australian Centre for Geomechanics, Perth, pp. 143-156, https://doi.org/10.36487/ACG_repo/2415_09
(https://papers.acg.uwa.edu.au/p/2415_09_Simpson/)
Abstract: Active mines regularly commit to post-mining land uses (PMLUs) several decades before their planned closure. Considering the mounting global challenges of water, energy, food, livelihood securities, and climate change, many of these PMLUs may now – in 2024 – be sub-optimal. Whether new land uses are being defined or existing land uses are being refined, options for PMLUs should be selected using various planning lenses. In this paper, three of these lenses are considered to demonstrate how post-mining landscapes could contribute to addressing complex global challenges through effective mine closure transitions. These lenses are: 
This approach is presented as a proposed conceptual framework, demonstrating how the SDGs could be utilised as a lens for selecting PMLUs – and which of these PMLUs are aligned with addressing water, energy, food and/or livelihood security and climate change mitigation. Selected case studies are highlighted, , policy recommendations are made.

Keywords: mine closure, post-mining land use, Sustainable Development Goals, framework, policy