Improving mine closure and rehabilitation outcomes in South Australia: integrating evidence, stakeholder feedback, and regulatory reform

Authors: Yanez, B-M Download Paper Open access courtesy of:

DOI https://doi.org/10.36487/ACG_repo/2615_104

Cite As:
Yanez, B-M 2026, 'Improving mine closure and rehabilitation outcomes in South Australia: integrating evidence, stakeholder feedback, and regulatory reform', 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. 1-13, https://doi.org/10.36487/ACG_repo/2615_104



Abstract:
Mining remains fundamental to Australia’s economy and is increasingly critical as the global transition to net zero accelerates. Demand for critical minerals such as copper, lithium and rare earth elements continues to grow, elevating the strategic importance of Australia’s resource base. South Australia plays a significant role, hosting innovative operations such as in situ recovery of uranium and holding approximately 68% of Australia’s Economic Demonstrated Resources of copper, a key input to renewable energy technologies. In parallel, the quarry sector underpins major construction and infrastructure projects, including the River Torrens to Darlington project and the Osborne submarine construction yard, while contributing materially to regional employment and economic activity. As mining and quarrying activity expands, expectations around environmental performance, rehabilitation, closure planning and postmining land use have increased. However, only a small number of mines achieve full relinquishment, with many remaining in longterm care and maintenance. In addition, the South Australian government retains responsibility for several legacy mine sites, reinforcing the importance of effective closure planning and progressive rehabilitation to minimise longterm environmental and management obligations. In response, the South Australian Department for Energy and Mining is developing a mine closure and rehabilitation framework comprising a new policy, a review of existing guidance and processes, and supporting technical guidelines. This work has been informed by a literature review, targeted stakeholder engagement and analysis of 100 mining and quarrying programs assessed between 2021 and 2025 across 11 commodities. The review identified recurring gaps which align with national and international guidance, including the definition of completion criteria and closure outcomes, planning for postmining land use, integration of closure into mine development planning and implementation of effective progressive rehabilitation. Stakeholder feedback reinforced the need for an outcomesfocused closure framework supported by practical tools and supporting guidelines. Collectively, this evidence highlights an opportunity to transform South Australia’s closure framework to better integrate closure across the mine life cycle, support progressive rehabilitation and provide clearer pathways to relinquishment, consistent with leading practice. The work proposed in South Australia is positioned to translate internationally recognised principles as articulated by global and national leading practice guidance and other jurisdictional examples into South Australia-specific practical mechanisms that support progressive rehabilitation and closure, reduce longterm public liability, and enable the timely transition of mine and quarry sites to beneficial post-mining land uses.

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