A responsible mine closure strategy is crucial from an environmental, social, safety and legal perspective and should be in place from the first day of operations.
From abandoned mines and operations that remain in prolonged care and maintenance, to the rise in illegal mining activities, failure to implement effective closure policies can be detrimental in the long term. Therefore, planning for responsible mine closure is key, and should form part of every mining stage to avoid the historic trend of mines being abandoned without adequate rehabilitation measure.
Responsible mine closure is crucial for environmental protection, community wellbeing, and a positive legacy, as it prevents contamination hazards, creates safe post-mining land uses, and ensures that companies meet their legal and social responsibilities. It requires careful planning from the initial stages of a mine’s life to ensure a holistic approach that addresses environmental rehabilitation and social and economic transition for local communities.
According to Rochelle Bloemhof, Principal Associate: Mine Closure at WSP in Africa, every company should define a clear closure vision: where they aim to be, the legacy they want to leave, and the when, how, and who needed to achieve it.
“A robust policy provides a structured framework guiding responsible transitioning, environmental protection, social responsibility, financial preparedness, and regulatory compliance. It aligns operations with the company’s closure vision, creating a roadmap for sustainable, long-term outcomes”, he says.
Given the growing complexity of mining operations, including evolving regulations, socio – economic volatility, stakeholder expectations, and climate change, traditional cost estimation models are often inadequate.
“A robust closure policy allows companies to embrace uncertainty, adopt risk-informed, lifecycle-aligned methodologies, mitigate financial risk, unlock long-term value, and support regenerative, community aligned outcome. Applied throughout the mine lifecycle, it enhances operational efficiency, strengthens environmental stability, facilitates social transition, and positions the company for a responsible, future-ready closure”.
