When best practice isn’t enough: reframing mine closure through First Nations leadership

Authors: Williams, C; Walker, J; Samper, A Download Paper Open access courtesy of:

DOI https://doi.org/10.36487/ACG_repo/2615_02

Cite As:
Williams, C, Walker, J & Samper, A 2026, 'When best practice isn’t enough: reframing mine closure through First Nations leadership', in AB Fourie, G Boggs, J Heyes & M Tibbett (eds), Mine Closure 2026: Proceedings of the 19th International Conference on Mine Closure, Australian Centre for Geomechanics, Perth, pp. 1-10, https://doi.org/10.36487/ACG_repo/2615_02



Abstract:
Research shows that effective and responsible mine closure and relinquishment examples in Australia are still limited and appropriate inclusion of First Nations people is underrepresented, despite ongoing efforts and the scale of the industry. Through the ongoing work of the Cooperative Research Centre for Transformations in Mining Economies (CRC TiME), our partners and our community, a vision is emerging for what Indigenous-led participation in mine closure might detail and the strategic pathways being developed. The inconsistent First Nations inclusion in mine closure planning has had significant impact on First Nations people, flora and fauna, the environment and many traditional practices, which is of major concern today and requires attention to reduce further long-term impact and breach of rights. Drawing on research from the CRC TiME, including a suite of co-designed, collaborative and co-managed projects with First Nations people, this paper examines emerging pathways for Indigenous participation in mine closure. These projects explore pathways for strengthening Indigenous leadership in mine closure, including the CRC TiME Restoring Country initiative, development of native seed supply chains, water and pit lake management, Indigenous enterprise participation and regional cumulative impact planning. This paper argues that current ‘good practice’ approaches are insufficient to address the historical and ongoing impacts of mining on Country as they remain consultative rather than Indigenous led. Instead, a shift towards Indigenous-led, place-based closure frameworks embedded from the initial stage is required to ensure equitable, sustainable and rights-aligned outcomes in mine closure and post-mining transitions. Note that within this paper, the terms ‘Indigenous’, ‘First Nations’ and ‘traditional owners’ are interchangeably used to refer to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

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