How do we ensure more sustainable closure of mines? Experiences from mine closure frameworks, committees and capacity building in Namibia

Authors: Makili, ST; Westrin, P Download Paper Open access courtesy of:

DOI https://doi.org/10.36487/ACG_repo/2515_22

Cite As:
Makili, ST & Westrin, P 2025, 'How do we ensure more sustainable closure of mines? Experiences from mine closure frameworks, committees and capacity building in Namibia', 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. 1-6, https://doi.org/10.36487/ACG_repo/2515_22



Abstract:
Governance of the mining sector by regional, national and local authorities is challenging. Authorities are often limited in respect of specialists, time and funding. At the same time, knowledge and expectations regarding mine closure and post-mining transition have increased a lot in recent years. This coincides with larger and more detailed environmental and social impact assessments presented by companies, which can be difficult for authorities to assess. There is a need to build stronger capacity for authorities to face the array of challenges presented by mine closure. Namibia is endowed with minerals and has a large mining sector, exporting uranium and base metals among other resources. The Ministry of Industries, Mines and Energy (MIME) in collaboration with the Intergovernmental Forum on Mining, Minerals, Metals and Sustainable Development (IGF) conducted a Mining Policy Framework Assessment (MPF Assessment). The MPF Assessment found that post-mining transition is a key gap in the legislation in Namibia. Though the Minerals (Prospecting and Mining) Act, No. 33 of 1992 (Republic of Namibia 1992), the Environmental Management Act, No. 7 of 2007 (Republic of Namibia 2007) and the Minerals Policy of Namibia (2003) (Republic of Namibia 2003) all make references to mine rehabilitation and closure, focusing on the “polluter pays” principle, the current Acts do not provide details for progressive rehabilitation, mine closure planning, site relinquishment and associated transfer of residual environmental and financial liabilities from the licence holder to the state. The MIME in collaboration with the IGF hence developed a mine closure framework (MCF) from the regulator’s point of view, specifically to underpin the appropriate enactment of mine closure provisions in the amended Namibian legislation. The Minerals (Prospecting and Mining) Act, No. 33 of 1992 (Republic of Namibia 1992) is currently under review, and development of closure plans with financial assurance will be made a condition in the licencing process. The MIME went further to establish a multidisciplinary mine closure evaluation committee with officials from the Ministries of: Industries, Mines and Energy; Finance; Health and Social Services; Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Land Reform; and Environment, Forestry and Tourism; along with the Office of the Attorney General, Office of the Auditor General and the Bank of Namibia. The development of the MCF and establishment of the mine closure evaluation committee have been accompanied by several capacity-building events in collaboration with the Intergovernmental Forum on Mining, Minerals, Metals and Sustainable Development (IGF), United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and Swedish Environmental Protection Agency (SwEPA). The work represents a considerable improvement in the ability to govern the sector, and several experiences have been recorded that could benefit other countries.

Keywords: closure of mines, mine closure framework, mine closure committee, capacity building

References: