A new best practice approach for mine closure in the tropics

doi:10.36487/ACG_rep/1152_119_Smith

Authors: Smith, HD

DOI https://doi.org/10.36487/ACG_rep/1152_119_Smith

Cite As:
Smith, HD 2011, 'A new best practice approach for mine closure in the tropics', 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. 511-519, https://doi.org/10.36487/ACG_rep/1152_119_Smith

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Abstract:
This paper considers how mine closure is approached in the tropical environment. It ties together a range of technical and social topics, including: governance and regulation; stakeholder input; mining economics; long-term social economics; health impacts; development of specific closure criteria for a number of different types of mines and land management practices. It highlights what can and often will go wrong where standard mine practices are applied to the tropics and, drawing on specific examples, looks at the positive and negative outcomes from attempts at mine closure in Australia’s Northern Territory during the late 20th and early 21st centuries. From these, a new paradigm is synthesised and offered as an improved “best practice”.

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