Social, economic and environmental resilience through mine closures: why collaboration and partnership are key

Authors: Gagen, E; Nicholls, J; Innis, S; Rowntree, A; Tang-Lee, D; Martin, D Download Paper Open access courtesy of:

DOI https://doi.org/10.36487/ACG_repo/2415_0.02

Cite As:
Gagen, E, Nicholls, J, Innis, S, Rowntree, A, Tang-Lee, D & Martin, D 2024, 'Social, economic and environmental resilience through mine closures: why collaboration and partnership are key', in AB Fourie, M Tibbett & G Boggs (eds), Mine Closure 2024: Proceedings of the 17th International Conference on Mine Closure, Australian Centre for Geomechanics, Perth, pp. 17-28, https://doi.org/10.36487/ACG_repo/2415_0.02



Abstract:
Mining and metals operations, and the communities and regions that host them are inextricably linked. In a world experiencing significant disruptions globally and locally due to climate change, natural disasters, pandemics, geopolitical tensions, and economic transitions, the mining and metals industry can play an important role in strengthening social and economic resilience. Mine closure is a significant disruption that every mining region will experience. With planned mine closures around the world expected to increase over the next decade, the industry has a unique opportunity to improve closure performance and support social and economic transition within mining regions. ICMM’s Integrated Mine Closure Good Practice Guide (ICMM 2019) sets out the key elements underpinning successful transition: integration of closure considerations into the mining lifecycle, closure planning, closurespecific stakeholder engagement, implementation of closure activities, post-closure monitoring, maintenance and relinquishment. Most of these elements start long before operations cease, and they are iterative in nature. Nonetheless, successful closure and the realisation of post-mining futures for mining regions, remains challenging. Overcoming the barriers to successful post-mining regional transitions will require collaborative, multi-stakeholder approaches that are self-sustaining and designed for longevity. This paper will give an overview of work ICMM is doing to support closure good practice across the industry. This includes understanding multi-stakeholder approaches that support asset transitions across diverse global contexts, as well as leveraging the need for urgent action on nature, to realise post-mining outcomes that benefit people and the planet.

Keywords: asset transition, mine closure, nature, relinquishment, socio-economic resilience

References: