Facilitating Mine Closure with a Continuous Analysis and Review System

Authors: Tongway, DJ

DOI https://doi.org/10.36487/ACG_repo/852_3

Cite As:
Tongway, DJ 2008, 'Facilitating Mine Closure with a Continuous Analysis and Review System', in AB Fourie, M Tibbett, I Weiersbye & P Dye (eds), Mine Closure 2008: Proceedings of the Third International Seminar on Mine Closure, Australian Centre for Geomechanics, Perth, pp. 21-26, https://doi.org/10.36487/ACG_repo/852_3

Download citation as:   ris   bibtex   endnote   text   Zotero


Abstract:
It is rare but not unknown for a sustained “cradle to grave” effort to be applied in restoring lands affected by mining. The author suggests that a logical sequence of data gathering and analysis be used to make sure that the most appropriate soil materials, landforms and vegetation are selected for use, and that trends in ecosystem functioning are well-recorded, so that personnel changes do not derail the closure process. The author proposes that a system of acquiring information relevant to achieving the ultimate objectives of the post-mining land be implemented from the earliest possible stage and that the knowledge so acquired be acted on throughout the mine life to keep rehabilitation on track, so that closure is as smooth a process as possible. The approach is intended to stop unthinking “recipe book” solutions; each mine would have its unique factors properly investigated.

References:
Cobby, G. (2007) Western Australian Regulatory Approach to Mining Approvals and Mine Closure. Mine Closure
2007, A.B. Fourie, M. Tibbett and J. Wiertz (eds), pp. 103-106.
DITR (2006) Overview, Leading Practice Development Program for the Mining Industry. Department of Industry,
Tourism and Resources, Canberra, Australia.
Grant, C.D. (2006) Decommissioning Alcoa’s first bauxite mine in the Jarrah forest of Western Australia-Cradle to
grave. In Mine Closure 2006, A.B. Fourie and M. Tibbett (eds), pp. 287-298.
Grant, C.D. (2007) Developing completion criteria for Alcoa’s Bauxite mine rehabilitation in Western Australia. In
Mine Closure 2007, A.B. Fourie, M. Tibbett and J. Wiertz (eds), pp. 156-164.
Nichols, O.G. (2006) Developing Completion Criteria for Native Ecosystem Reconstruction—A Challenge for the
Mining Industry. Mine Closure 2006. A.B. Fourie, M. Tibbett (eds), pp. 61-75.
Nichols, O.G. and Latham, C. (2007) Assessing rehabilitation success in semi-arid, unpredictable environments –
implications for completion criteria. In Mine Closure 2007, A.B. Fourie, M. Tibbett and J. Wiertz (eds),
pp. 789-802.
Spain, A.V., Hinz, D.A., Ludwig, J.A., Tibbett, M. and Tongway, D.J. (2006) Mine Closure and Ecosystem
Development—Alcan Gove Bauxite Mine, Northern Territory, Australia. Mine Closure 2006, A.B. Fourie and
M. Tibbett (eds), pp. 299-308.
Sutton, M.W. and Weiersbye, I.M. (2007) South African Legislation in Gold Mine Closure and Residual Risk. In Mine
Closure 2007, A.B. Fourie, M. Tibbett and J. Wiertz (eds), pp. 89-102.
Tongway, D. and Hindley, N. (2004) Landscape Function Analysis www.cse.csiro.au/research/efa/index.htm, 84 p.
Tongway, D., Hindley, N., Ludwig, J., Kearns, A. and Barnett, G. (1997) Early indicators of ecosystem rehabilitation
on selected minesites. 2nd Annual Environmental Workshop. Minerals Council of Australia, Dickson, Australia.




© Copyright 2024, Australian Centre for Geomechanics (ACG), The University of Western Australia. All rights reserved.
View copyright/legal information
Please direct any queries or error reports to repository-acg@uwa.edu.au