Laurence, DC 2006, 'Why Do Mines Close?', in AB Fourie & M Tibbett (eds), Mine Closure 2006: Proceedings of the First International Seminar on Mine Closure, Australian Centre for Geomechanics, Perth, pp. 83-94, https://doi.org/10.36487/ACG_repo/605_1
(https://papers.acg.uwa.edu.au/p/605_1_Laurence/)
Abstract: This paper summarises the early results of a significant and on-going research project investigating the 
causes and impacts of mine closures over the past 25 years. The closure of the 800 mines provides a wealth 
of data, obtained from company and government records, interviews with key personnel and other sources. 
The data includes all Australian States and Territories and all commodities, including metalliferous, coal and 
industrial minerals. The majority of mine closures were in Western Australia (60%) followed by New South 
Wales (20%) and Queensland (10%). The most commonly closed mine was a gold mine followed by coal, 
nickel, base metals and minerals sands operations. Twenty five percent of the mines closed due to resource 
exhaustion or depletion; 24% due to high costs, price drops, or declining grades; 8% due to open pit resource 
depletion (but with underground reserves remaining) or underground reserves depleted (but plans to open cut 
remainder) and 7% due to receivership or voluntary administration. Other significant causes included closure 
of a downstream industry or loss of markets; adverse geological/geotechnical factors; flooding/inrush; 
government/political decisions; safety/health or environmental issues or other reasons. The environmental, 
social and economic impacts of these closures are also significant and include acid mine drainage and impact 
on mine employees. The outcomes of the research will equip operators and regulators to better manage future 
mine closures.