VIRTUAL PANEL DISCUSSION: SRK Thought Leadership Panel on Mine Closure at the Canadian Mining Symposium
During the past three to four decades, the mining industry has closed several mines and portions of mines. In the process, a lot has been learned about the technological side of mine closure. Some of the knowledge has been gained through successes and some through failure. Regardless, the industry has applied sound science and engineering to many of the technical challenges of mine closure and has made significant progress in solving many of those aspects. However, the industry is still working to develop and implement creative ways to mitigate the socioeconomic impacts of mine closure.
In this panel, speakers will discuss key points on closure technology, early-stage planning, closure governance frameworks, stakeholder engagement, and socioeconomic transitioning. Some of the key questions raised:
- What are the biggest concerns that the governments of developing nations have with respect to mine closure?
- Do mining companies have a responsibility to do more than the minimum required by law if those laws would result in something less than good practice in mine closure?
- What are the biggest concerns the governments of developing nations have with respect to mine closure?
- How can we ensure that the selected post-closure land uses are practical in terms of cost, technical feasibility, and sustainability?
- Can we provide examples of effective post-mining land uses that have been implemented and successful?
- At what point in the mine life cycle should the process of socioeconomic transitioning begin?
- If a mine site or part of a mining operation will be re-purposed and redeveloped following closure, at what point does the mining company's responsibility for that after-use end?
Moderator: Jeff Parshley, Group Chairman and Corporate Consultant, SRK Consulting
Panelists:
- Boubacar Bocoum, Lead Mining Specialist, World Bank
- Kevin P.C.J. D'Souza, Vice President of Security, Sustainability & Environment, Centerra Gold
- Charlene Wrigley, Group Sustainable Development Manager, Gold Fields
