Repurposing of mine infrastructure at closure

Authors: Saiang, D; Lus, W Download Paper Open access courtesy of:

DOI https://doi.org/10.36487/ACG_repo/2515_32

Cite As:
Saiang, D & Lus, W 2025, 'Repurposing of mine infrastructure at closure', 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_32



Abstract:
The repurposing of mine infrastructure should be considered an essential part of mine closure planning. In many underdeveloped countries, mines usually have the most well-developed infrastructure, from energy infrastructure to social infrastructure. The host governments of these countries often lack the ability to utilise this infrastructure after mine closure. Due to the need for sustainable and responsible mining, some mining companies have started to take it upon themselves to plan how the mining infrastructure can be repurposed after mine closure. This paper presents one such example, where the mining company developed the concept of integrated infrastructure to service both the mine and the civil society during both the operational and closure phases of the mine. Located in one of the harshest environments on Earth, with high rainfall, rugged terrain and high seismicity, dedicated mine waste storage infrastructure was planned for the Frieda River Copper-Gold Project in Papua New Guinea. The purpose of the infrastructure, coined by Xstrata PLC as an ‘integrated storage facility’, is to serve as massive underwater storage for the mine waste. At the same time, it was developed to utilise the cover water to generate electricity for the mine and the region, with potential to export access power across borders. Even though challenging and ambitious, the concept remains to be further explored both technically and fiscally, as it has the potential to be of significant economic benefit for Papua New Guinea.

Keywords: integrated storage facility, mine waste storage, rugged terrain, high rainfall, high seismicity, Frieda River Copper-Gold Project, policy framework

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