Navigating stakeholder engagement with regulatory bodies as part of the mine closure process

Authors: Voges-Haug, B; Dowdell, D Download Paper Open access courtesy of:

DOI https://doi.org/10.36487/ACG_repo/2215_16

Cite As:
Voges-Haug, B & Dowdell, D 2022, 'Navigating stakeholder engagement with regulatory bodies as part of the mine closure process', in AB Fourie, M Tibbett & G Boggs (eds), Mine Closure 2022: Proceedings of the 15th International Conference on Mine Closure, Australian Centre for Geomechanics, Perth, pp. 267-278, https://doi.org/10.36487/ACG_repo/2215_16



Abstract:
Mine closure can be a difficult and complex process and often takes years to plan and execute. Successful closure practices require an in-depth understanding of closure regulation and a strong understanding of the relevant stakeholders to the process. Often, achieving the successful closure of a mine can be made more challenging by convoluted and intimidating environmental regulatory processes, which differ from jurisdiction to jurisdiction. Understanding the various mine closure regulatory bodies, how they operate and how they apply regulations around mine closure requires a well-thought-out strategy and approach. While it is recognised that mine closure requirements change across jurisdictions, there has been a significant international shift in the regulation of the rehabilitation and relinquishment of mines, which can provide key insights into the likely expectations of regulatory bodies. Due to this international shift, there are key pillars of information that should be provided to regulatory bodies, to enable compliance with best-practice standards in mine closure. For mining companies seeking to plan the closure of a mining activity, there are significant advantages in considered and positive stakeholder management with regulatory bodies early in the mine closure process, as well as benefits in providing information on key closure outcomes at strategic time frames throughout the process. This paper will discuss the best-practice approach around the stakeholder management of regulatory bodies as part of the mine closure process and will examine international standards and discuss the key pillars of information that will assist engagement with regulatory bodies who manage and approve mine closure outcomes.

Keywords: regulatory agency, engagement, stakeholder management, international best practice, mine closure

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