Business Expediency, Contingency and Socio-Political Realities — A Case of Unplanned Mine Closure

Authors: Chaloping-March, M Download Paper

DOI https://doi.org/10.36487/ACG_repo/852_80

Cite As:
Chaloping-March, M 2008, 'Business Expediency, Contingency and Socio-Political Realities — A Case of Unplanned Mine Closure', 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. 863-871, https://doi.org/10.36487/ACG_repo/852_80



Abstract:
Mine closure is an area where the mining industry can demonstrate its commitment to the principles of sustainability. Within the minerals sector, the emphasis though has been on the need to consider strategies and activities in advance. While it is essential that planning for mine closure is done at the earliest stage possible, certain cases, particularly in many developing countries, demonstrate that this is not always possible. On the ground, there is often a relatively short duration, if at all, between preparing closure plans and the actual closure of mine operations. This paper examines a case in which the key social actors in the mine closure process, mainly a mining company and a large community, were caught up in situations where they had to adopt innovations that are expedient. The actions of the company and the responses of the community were contingent on circumstances that could not have been predicted if mine closure was planned by the company several years ago, much less many decades ago. In a convoluted way, efforts at preventing previously ‘abandoned’ mine workings from impairment is tied to the social imperative of addressing people’s need for livelihood. In turn, business viability can be ensured. The paper contributes to understanding the complex socio-economic, political and business realities that shape the context of implementing protocols and principles of mine closure. On a higher plane, the paper demonstrates that planning for, and implementing, mine closure successfully does not simply require good legislation, financial guarantees, and mechanisms for monitoring and auditing. These are factors that indeed ensure a workable closure plan. However, an understanding of the complex institutional, economic, political and cultural milieu, within which closure principles, strategies and activities are realized, is paramount.

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