From guidance to governance in developing and operationalising an integrated closure framework for a global mining portfolio

Authors: Boshrouyeh, B; Blaxland, D; Mantey, J; Weinig, W Download Paper Open access courtesy of:

DOI https://doi.org/10.36487/ACG_repo/2615_108

Cite As:
Boshrouyeh, B, Blaxland, D, Mantey, J & Weinig, W 2026, 'From guidance to governance in developing and operationalising an integrated closure framework for a global mining portfolio', 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. 1-15, https://doi.org/10.36487/ACG_repo/2615_108



Abstract:
Mine closure has advanced from a technical end of life rehabilitation obligation into a strategic enterprise governance and risk management challenge with significant financial, environmental, legal and social dimensions. Increasing expectations from regulators, investors, communities and global environmental, social and governance frameworks now require closure to be embedded across the full life of asset, from early studies and capital allocation decisions through to relinquishment and post-closure stewardship. Despite this shift, achieving consistent cross-functional integration of closure across planning, finance, operations, environmental management, risk, legal and social performance systems remains an industry-wide challenge. This paper presents the structured development and operationalisation of a multi-level integrated closure framework designed to reposition closure as a core business discipline rather than an isolated compliance function. The framework was informed by systematic gap analysis against contemporary International Council on Mining and Metals guidance, cross-functional workshops and alignment with existing capital project standards, environmental and social standards, sustainability metrics and enterprise risk management systems. It integrates closure vision, progressive rehabilitation, risk management, social transition planning, cost modelling and relinquishment readiness within life of mine planning and financial provisioning cycles. Particular emphasis is placed on planning-to-cost traceability, proportional scaling of technical expectations to asset maturity and risk profile, and disciplined mechanisms for progressive liability reduction. The framework responds to emerging industry pressures, including long-term performance uncertainty, legacy asset exposure, tightening financial disclosure requirements, and rising expectations for defensible relinquishment and sustainable post-mining outcomes. Implementation insights demonstrate that a portfolio-wide closure framework is most effective when it creates clear accountability, traceable planning-to-cost linkages, proportional expectations and evidencebased assurance pathways rather than adding procedural complexity. The proposed approach offers a transferable blueprint for mining organisations seeking to modernise closure governance, strengthen financial transparency, manage long-term environmental and social risk, and bridge technical and executive perspectives in sustainable resource development.

Keywords: integrated mine closure; closure governance, financial provisioning, life of mine planning, enterprise risk management, progressive rehabilitation, relinquishment readiness

References: