Comprehensive mine closure planning: a comparative approach in Latin America

Authors: Vivas, A; Oyarzo, C Download Paper Open access courtesy of:

DOI https://doi.org/10.36487/ACG_repo/2515_01

Cite As:
Vivas, A & Oyarzo, C 2025, 'Comprehensive mine closure planning: a comparative approach in Latin America', in S Knutsson, AB Fourie & M Tibbett (eds), Mine Closure 2025: Proceedings of the 18th International Conference on Mine Closure, Australian Centre for Geomechanics, Perth, pp. 1-11, https://doi.org/10.36487/ACG_repo/2515_01



Abstract:
Mine closure is a comprehensive process from initial planning to post-closure monitoring and maintenance, with the objective of minimising the negative effects of mining. In South America, there are national regulations governing mine closure, while at the international level, there are recommended guidelines such as the Integrated Mine Closure Good Practice Guidance of the International Council on Mining and Metals (ICMM) that provide guidelines for responsible mine closure management and integration. Beyond compliance with the closure legislation of each country, the companies operating in the South American region have their own standards and instruments that act as a tool for closure planning, and which in turn seek to comply with the ICMM’s international best practices. The main objective of this paper is to evaluate the level of maturity of closure planning at different operational mine sites in Latin America in relation to the ICMM recommendations, identifying through a comparative process the main strengths and weaknesses that have been observed from the consultant’s experience in the implementation of these closure management instruments. This assessment describes how the key aspects for the success of closure in these mine sites have been addressed, considering the definition of future land use, closure and post-closure measures, social transition and community participation, closure costs, progressive closure, and the need for a sustainable closure. Understanding where we are today allows us to identify where we need to deepen efforts to significantly improve closure outcomes, ensuring that negative impacts are minimised and benefits to the environment and local communities are maximised, making closure not only technically effective, but also socially responsible.

Keywords: mine closure, Latin America, International Council on Mining and Metals

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