DOI https://doi.org/10.36487/ACG_repo/605_70
Cite As:
Finucane, S & Gallinger, R 2006, 'Elephants and Ancients ⎯ A Case Study in Sustainable Closure Planning at the Mupane Gold Mine, Botswana', in AB Fourie & M Tibbett (eds),
Mine Closure 2006: Proceedings of the First International Seminar on Mine Closure, Australian Centre for Geomechanics, Perth, pp. 793-801,
https://doi.org/10.36487/ACG_repo/605_70
Abstract:
The Mupane Gold Mine (Mupane) is located 30 km southeast of Francistown, close to the border between
Botswana and Zimbabwe (Figure 1). The mine is operated by Mupane Gold Mining (Pty) Ltd (MGM), a
subsidiary of Toronto-based IAMGOLD Corporation. Although the site was only opened in February 2005
and operations are expected to continue for another seven years, considerable work has already gone into
planning for the site’s closure. This has occurred because MGM recognises that mine closure not only needs
to involve rehabilitation, but increasingly needs to address ongoing environmental and socio-economic
issues. This paper describes the key issues associated with sustainable mine closure planning at Mupane.
Figure 1 Location map
Mine Closure 2006 ― Andy Fourie and Mark Tibbett (eds)
© 2006 Australian Centre for Geomechanics, Perth, ISBN 0-9756756-6-4
Mine Closure 2006, Perth, Australia 793
References:
Australian and New Zealand Minerals and Energy Council and Minerals Council of Australia (2000) Strategic
Framework for Mine Closure. Canberra, Australia.
Australian and New Zealand Minerals and Energy Council and Minerals Council of Australia (2003) Strategic
Framework for Tailings Management. Canberra, Australia.
Geoflux (Pty) Ltd (2003) Environmental Impact Assessment for the Proposed Mupane Gold Mine. Environmental
Impact Statement. Prepared for Gallery Gold Botswana. May 2003.
International Council on Mining & Metals (2005) Financial Assurance for Mine Closure and Reclamation.
Mafa, B. (2003) Environmental Hydrogeology of Francistown: Effects of Mining and Urban Expansion on
Groundwater Quality. Department of Geological Survey Botswana. March 2003.
Peck, P. (2005) Mining for Closure. Report prepared on behalf of the Environment and Security Initiative. United
Nationals Environment Programme. June 2005.
Robertson, A. (2004) The Six Tenets of Sustainability for Mining.
van Waarden, C. (2000) Mpanipani Hills Prospecting Area Archaeological Impact Assessment. Report prepared for
Gallery Gold Botswana (Pty) Ltd, February 2000, and presented as Appendix 3.4 in Geoflux (Pty) Ltd, 2003.
World Health Organisation and United Nations Environment Programme (1998) Mine Rehabilitation for Environment
and Health Protection – A Training Manual.