Proactive risk management for aligning mine operations with closure objectives

Authors: Stevens, C; Gray, H; Barabash, S Download Paper Open access courtesy of:

DOI https://doi.org/10.36487/ACG_repo/2615_139

Cite As:
Stevens, C, Gray, H & Barabash, S 2026, 'Proactive risk management for aligning mine operations with closure objectives', 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_139



Abstract:
Mine sites commonly rely on international standards and best practices to develop closure plans that meet corporate policies and jurisdictional requirements. Despite this structured guidance, gaps and misalignments frequently occur between closure planning, ongoing operations and long-term strategic decision-making. These disconnects can introduce environmental, technical and financial risks to the closure plan and the post-closure period. One area where this can be evident is mine water management, including both water quality and water quantity; particularly where operational practices do not fully account for long-term environmental performance and the protection of water resources following cessation of mining activities. Risk assessments provide a systematic framework to identify and evaluate these misalignments. By characterising risk sources, pathways and consequences, risk-based methodologies enable the identification of mitigation measures and operational controls to reduce long-term liabilities. This study evaluates mine closure through a risk-based lens, focusing on risks that emerge during active operations and the transition to closure. Emphasis is placed on identifying gaps between operational practices and the defined closure objectives, as well as assessing how these gaps may compromise closure criteria. The analysis highlights the importance of integrating closure strategies into operational decision-making through structured risk assessment processes. The findings underscore the need for early and continuous integration of operations strategies and closure planning, supported by risk management systems and cross-disciplinary collaboration, to proactively manage uncertainty and reduce long-term closure risks.

Keywords: mine closure, risk assessment, criteria, objectives, gaps, integration

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