Authors: Jones, h


DOI https://doi.org/10.36487/ACG_rep/1152_70_Jones

Cite As:
Jones, h 2011, 'Three “R’s” for mine closure – responsibilities, regulations and results', 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. 29-38, https://doi.org/10.36487/ACG_rep/1152_70_Jones

Download citation as:   ris   bibtex   endnote   text   Zotero


Abstract:
The paper outlines an evolution of attitudes of governments and the mining industry to the concept of sustainable development with particular reference to mine closure. It considers the role professional associations have in promoting responsible attitudes to environmental management and mine closure. Focusing on the development of mine waste landforms the author briefly outlines the drivers of regulations and considers the process of regulation drafting together with the role of guidelines as de facto regulations. The paper then outlines the “prescriptive” and “enabling” approaches to legislation and discusses how they can impact on setting and attaining mine closure objectives. The application of regulations and the requirement of resources including skilled and experienced regulators is discussed together with the responsibilities of government should its regulations increase, rather than reduce environmental harm at closure. The concept of environmental compliance is briefly discussed including the potential technology restricting aspects of strict compliance with regulations. Does this promote a lowest common denominator approach to mine closure? With particular reference to the closure requirements of waste dumps and tailings structures the author gives illustrations of good and less than good examples of what regulations and industry performance have so far achieved. The time frame within which closure objectives attainment can be evaluated is discussed, highlighting the different time frames required to assess geomorphological and biological post closure performance at a mine. The site specific nature of mines means that one approach to waste landforms cannot fit all situations and the fairness of having a solution acceptable in one operation, but not in another is considered. The author concludes by outlining ways in which responsibilities and regulations could work together to improve the mine closure performance of our industry and demonstrate to the broader community that the term “sustainable development” is not an oxymoron when applied to the mining industry.

References:
Agricola, G. (1556) De Re Metalica (1950 Translation by Hoover, H.C and Hoover L.H.) Dover Publications, Inc Ltd., New York, 1950, 638 p.
Blight, G.E. and Amponsah-Da Costa, F. (1999) In search of the 1 000-year tailings dam slope, SA Civil Engineering, Oct 1999.
Brearley, J., Osborne, J. and Wright, I. (2000) Assessment procedures and end point criteria for arid mine waste rock dumps, Report on MERIWA Project M277.
Gouvernement du Québec (1997) Guidelines for Preparing a Mining Site Rehabilitation Plan and General Mining Site Rehabilitation Requirements, 61 p.
Howard, E.J., Loch, R.J. and Vacher, C.A. (2010) Evolution of landform design concepts, Proceedings First International Seminar on the Reduction of Risk in the Management of Tailings and Mine Waste (Mine Waste 2010), A.B. Fourie and R.J. Jewell (eds), 29 September – 1 October 2010, Perth, Australia, Australian Centre for Geomechanics, Perth, pp. 83–90.
IIED (2002) Breaking New Ground-The Mining, Minerals and Sustainable Development Project, IIED, viewed 8th June 2011, .
Jones, H. (2008a) Closure Objectives, Guidelines and Actual Outcomes. Proceedings Third International Seminar on Mine Closure (Mine Closure 2008), A.B. Fourie and M. Tibbett, I.M. Weiersbye, P. Dye (eds), 14–17 October 2008, Johannesburg, South Africa, Australian Centre for Geomechanics, Perth, pp. 245–254.
Jones, H. (2008b) The Metamorphism of Dumps into Hills, Proceedings First International Seminar on the Management of Rock Dumps, Stockpiles and Heap Leach Pads (Rock Dumps 2008), A.B. Fourie (ed), 5–6 March 2008, Perth, Australia, Australian Centre for Geomechanics, Perth, pp. 267–277.
Jones, H. (2010) Environmental Compliance, Proceedings First International Seminar on the Reduction of Risk in the Management of Tailings and Mine Waste (Mine Waste 2010), A.B. Fourie and R.J. Jewell (eds), 29 September – 1 October 2010, Perth, Australia, Australian Centre for Geomechanics, Perth, pp. 309–317.
Loch, R.J. and Lowe, S.M. (2008) A Logical Framework for the Design, Construction and Rehabilitation of Mine Site Waste Dumps, Proceedings First International Seminar on the Management of Rock Dumps, Stockpiles and Heap Leach Pads (Rock Dumps 2008), A.B. Fourie (ed), 5–6 March 2008, Perth, Australia, Australian Centre for Geomechanics, Perth, pp. 257–267.
McPhail, G. and Rye, C. (2008) Comparison of the Erosional Performance of Alternative Slope Geometries, Proceedings First International Seminar on the Management of Rock Dumps, Stockpiles and Heap Leach Pads (Rock Dumps 2008), A.B. Fourie (ed), 5–6 March 2008, Perth, Australia, Australian Centre for Geomechanics, Perth, pp. 277–289.
Myres, K.L., Espell, R. and Burke, K. (2001) Reclamation and Closure of the AA Heap Leach Pad at Barrick’s Goldstrike Mine, SME Transaction 2001.
Tongway, D.J. and Hindley, N.L. (2004) Landscape Function Analysis: procedures for monitoring and assessing landscapes, CSIRO Sustainable Ecosystems, Canberra.
UN World Commission on Environment and Development(UNWCED) (1987) Our Common Future: The World Commission on Environment and Development. G. Bruntland (ed), Oxford University Press, 400 p.
Willgoose, G.R. (2000) Geomorphology/Erosion, Proceedings Planning for Mine Closure – An Operator’s Guide, ACG Seminar No. 2009, 7–8 December 2000, Perth, Australia, Australian Centre for Geomechanics, Perth, Section 11.




© Copyright 2024, Australian Centre for Geomechanics (ACG), The University of Western Australia. All rights reserved.
View copyright/legal information
Please direct any queries or error reports to repository-acg@uwa.edu.au