San Martin Mine in Honduras – from closure to sustainability

Authors: Roldan, CF; Purvance, D Download Paper

DOI https://doi.org/10.36487/ACG_rep/1152_114_Roldan

Cite As:
Roldan, CF & Purvance, D 2011, 'San Martin Mine in Honduras – from closure to sustainability', in AB Fourie, M Tibbett & A Beersing (eds), Mine Closure 2011: Proceedings of the Sixth International Conference on Mine Closure, Australian Centre for Geomechanics, Perth, pp. 461-470, https://doi.org/10.36487/ACG_rep/1152_114_Roldan



Abstract:
The closure of San Martin gold mine in Honduras has become a showcase for Goldcorp operations located in undeveloped countries, where the challenges of closing a mine are not only technical but also social. San Martin facilities have been converted from an open pit/heap leaching operation to a productive farm and hotel open for ecotourism, both managed by a non-profit Foundation. This paper describes the closure process of the mine and the key factors to achieve a sustainable post mining project including: concurrent reclamation, topsoil management, sulphides encapsulation, erosion prevention and drainage systems, and hydro-geologic modelling; and the challenges to convert a closed gold mine into a sustainable project that continues to provide economic opportunities for the surrounding communities.

References: