From theory to practice: a contractor’s guide for operators to de-risking mine closure

Authors: Hislop, J Download Paper Open access courtesy of:

DOI https://doi.org/10.36487/ACG_repo/2615_140

Cite As:
Hislop, J 2026, 'From theory to practice: a contractor’s guide for operators to de-risking mine closure', 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. 1-6, https://doi.org/10.36487/ACG_repo/2615_140



Abstract:
Mine closure is frequently subject to higher cost and greater delivery risks than originally anticipated. This paper translates mine closure theory into practical guidance, drawing on a contractor’s firsthand experience to help operators better prepare for closure-ready handover states, understand the true cost of closure, and ultimately de-risk closure programs. A key focus is understanding what is required at handover to enable efficient, compliant and low risk closure execution. This paper explores the benefits of early contractor involvement (ECI) and uses practical scenarios to demonstrate how early engagement of delivery specialists during closure planning can improve schedule certainty and reduce overall cost. These scenarios illustrate how early engagement enables critical considerations such as Traditional Owner consultation, local and national regulatory requirements, and the selection of optimal decommissioning methodologies, to be addressed well before final operations cease. The paper also examines why hazardous and legacy waste is consistently underestimated in mine closure programs. It outlines common drivers, including incomplete historic and legacy documentation and insufficient sampling and testing, while providing guidance on how operators can better anticipate and quantify hazardous materials through optimised assessment and planning. Alignment between operators, consultants and contractors is another critical theme. Clearly defined objectives, shared assumptions and coordinated scopes of work enable all parties to ‘sing from the same song sheet’, improving program efficiency and certainty of outcome. Ultimately, this paper provides operators with a practical, experience-driven guide to mine closure, moving beyond theory to address what is truly required to close a mine safely, and efficiently. Ultimately, this paper provides an experience-based, practical guide to mine closure, focusing on the key mitigation strategies and opportunities to deliver safe, compliant, and cost-effective closure projects.

Keywords: mine closure, early contractor involvement, risk management, stakeholder management, cost reduction, program optimisation.

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