A closure case study: the multidisciplinary and interconnected opportunities and challenges at a mine in northern Ontario, Canada

Authors: Franklin, K; Leclair, M Download Paper Open access courtesy of:

DOI https://doi.org/10.36487/ACG_repo/2515_64

Cite As:
Franklin, K & Leclair, M 2025, 'A closure case study: the multidisciplinary and interconnected opportunities and challenges at a mine in northern Ontario, Canada', 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. 1-10, https://doi.org/10.36487/ACG_repo/2515_64



Abstract:
This paper explores the challenges and opportunities of a mine’s closure plan amendment (CPA) in northern Ontario, Canada, which supports expanding the mine plan and extending the mine life. The future mine plan includes going underground, consolidating two neighbouring open pits, shifting and expanding a mine rock stockpile, and adding a fourth tailings facility. The scope of this closure plan is extensive and interconnected. There is the multidisciplinary nature of including all aspects of mine planning throughout its operational life, ultimate configurations and anticipating the needs to run a large mine, while also planning for reclamation and closure for what will be. There are over 15 technical studies that support the CPA. These studies are interconnected and result from one cascade into the next. Of the 15 studies, more than half are related to water, water balance, water quality, interaction of surface and groundwater, bioremediation, water management infrastructure, and impacts of water on land cover. More than six consultants support this work and all the mine’s departments came together to find alignment for two difficult challenges: more potentially acid generating waste than in the original mine plan and more water than previously modelled. The paper will walk through understanding how these scopes intertwine and the importance of working the interconnectivity and multidisciplinary nature of closure planning together to create a CPA.

Keywords: case study, closure amendment, multidiscipline

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