Mackenzie, S & Lacy, HWB, Koontz, D 2006, 'Benefits of Planned Versus Unplanned Mine Closure and Strategies for Both', in AB Fourie & M Tibbett (eds), Mine Closure 2006: Proceedings of the First International Seminar on Mine Closure, Australian Centre for Geomechanics, Perth, pp. 227-235, https://doi.org/10.36487/ACG_repo/605_15
(https://papers.acg.uwa.edu.au/p/605_15_Mackenzie/)
Abstract: The mining industry is an important contributor to local and national economies world wide and it will 
continue to underpin the economies of many countries in the future.  
Australia is one of the world’s leading exploration and mining nations. The resources sector makes a 
significant economic and social contribution to the Australian economy and is the nation’s largest single 
exporter. Australia is the world’s largest exporter of coal, iron ore, lead, diamonds and zinc, and the second 
largest exporter of gold and uranium (DITR, 2006). 
A sustainable mining industry is vital for Australia’s development. The future of the mining industry is likely 
to become more and more dependant on its reputation and its ability to maintain a social licence to operate. 
Unfortunately the reputation of the mining industry has been effected by poor examples of mine closure 
resulting in long-term environmental impacts and legacy sites. 
Current standards for mine rehabilitation and closure are much more stringent than they were even a few 
years ago and this reflects changing public priorities and the concept of sustainable development. Increasing 
public expectations for environmental protection and the increasing value of the natural environment as 
recreational space will continue to drive regulatory requirements and mining practice in the future. 
Mine closure planning has been and in many cases still is, left until near the end-of-mine life, often leaving 
little time, financial provision and/or resources for effective closure planning and decommissioning. This 
scenario is termed herewith as ‘unplanned mine closure’. Current estimates in the Australian mining industry 
are that the cost of prevention, through careful planning, can be one-fifth the cost of remediation at closure 
(Dowd, 2005). Clearly, there are significant economic considerations at stake when planning for mine 
closure. 
Developing a mine closure plan at or very near the end of mine life, can present a major hurdle to a mining 
company. Mine closure occurs at a time when the economic recovery of minerals has ceased, cash-flows are 
minimal or non-existent and material resources are often no longer accessible. This is obviously not the 
optimal stage to be planning and undertaking the bulk of rehabilitation and closure activities. 
In comparison, the benefits of progressive rehabilitation and closure (planned mine closure) are well 
documented but seldom are the principles adopted as a life-of-mine process. Recently, increased regulatory 
requirements and public interest has encouraged mining companies to consider mine closure issues during 
the project feasibility stage and to make on-going commitments to progressive rehabilitation and closure as 
part of the approvals process (DoIR, 2006).