​​Mine closure and repurposing​: ​​What will be the legacy of your site?

Mine closure can be complex and challenging, particularly when keeping pace with rapidly evolving standards and changing stakeholder expectations. This does not need to be the case. Early consultation and planning can set expectations and make a significant difference in the long term. But what happens when those expectations change? Some companies are moving away from more traditional closure methods and looking to new and innovative ways in which post-mining land use (PMLU) can leave a mutually beneficial legacy for all involved.  

This article will briefly outline the expectations of best practice mine closure and highlight some of the benefits and challenges of innovative PMLUs.   

Mine closure best practice

The best mine closure strategies and plans are dynamic and under constant review to reflect changes in the status of the project and an increased knowledge and understanding as the project progresses through its development. These ongoing updates give shareholders the confidence that expectations of site closure are being met and show a commitment to ongoing sustainable development.  

A large part of rehabilitation is meeting the legal obligations and minimum industry standards as set out by the government and the relevant regulatory authority in your jurisdiction. Working closely with the government in the early stages of planning can address many regulatory concerns to improve overall outcomes and reduce regulatory risk over the life of mine.  

The following sets out the stages at which mine closure should be considered:  

• Feasibility, the implications of mine closure and potential uses are identified and assessed at an early stage to outline both risks and opportunities. 
• Pre-mining environmental investigations, such as the environmental impact statement to determine quality baseline data, any requirements for species and habitat protections, and ongoing monitoring.
• Planning, using a consistent approach with all stakeholders to set closure objectives and completion criteria agreed to by most parties; this will include input from local representatives and the regulating authority.  
• Approvals, with the relevant authorities for development, mining leases and environment licences; once approved an amount for the security bond is set. If mine closure plans are required to change over time to meet new expectations or market demands a modification to the current approval may be needed.
• Construction and site preparation for removal of topsoil and collection of flora for preservation.  
• Progressive rehabilitation is undertaken. This is a blend of engineering requirements and needs of the local environment to ensure the land is returned to a natural state as soon as possible after mining has occurred. Careful planning during the mining phase can reduce the end-of-mine life closure task. 
• Mine decommissioning and obtaining the final landform design. 
• Finalisation of rehabilitation with topsoil and revegetation.
• Relinquishment and security bond reimbursement on satisfaction of obligations. 

Post-mining land uses: Benefits and challenges

For the most successful PMLU, consultation with a broad range of stakeholders needs to occur early and it needs to occur often. Getting it right will leave a lasting positive legacy for the local and regional communities your site serves, however, this is not without its challenges.   

Benefits 

Closure planning aims to ensure the land is safely and sustainably used for post-mining activities. Up until recently, most sites would have been rehabilitated to a single function, be it grassland for grazing or native woodlands. Miners and communities alike are starting to realise the additional value in rehabilitated mine sites. These sites often have large areas of land with existing infrastructure and assets such as administration blocks, maintenance sheds and large open voids all with access to power, water and transport links. If all infrastructure is decommissioned at the end of mine life, further utilisation and opportunities are lost. Looking at alternative uses could reduce the overall cost of rehabilitation on site whilst potentially creating value through ongoing site use.  

Former mine sites can have a tremendous range of future uses and aren’t limited to just one. Here are some examples of what mines can become:  

• Energy projects – solar, wind, pumped hydro, battery storage.   
• Tourism and recreation – adventure parks, motor sports, mountain biking, walking trails, hotels, gardens, golf courses, or water parks for water skiing, surfing, windsurfing or rowing. 
• Heritage and cultural centres. 
• Agriculture – grazing land, crop production.    
• Water storage and Aquaculture – wetlands and fish farms.  
• Underground research facilities or storage.  
• Wildlife habitats.  
• Manufacturing hubs.  
• Forestry.  

Challenges  

Defining an alternate PMLU requires consideration of several varied factors. Many sites already have approved mine closure plans in place and making amendments to those may seem disruptive and potentially costly. Some of the factors that need to be managed are: 

• Changes to site approvals, as any changes to the predetermined rehabilitation plan will need to be reassessed and further approvals provided for the chosen PMLU.  
• Additional uses may conflict with regulatory requirements and relinquishment, with the question arising as to who takes on the residual risk of a site.   
• Updated stakeholder expectations, it is likely community expectations and needs will change over the life of the mine and the previously identified PMLU is no longer suitable.  
• Further feasibility studies for alternate options are necessary as new PMLU options become available. 
  
• The consideration of any residual health, safety and environmental risks such as the impacts of climate change, water management, contamination and slope stability need to be met. 

How can Xenith help your company explore mine closure and post-mining land use?

At Xenith, our expert team of Mining Engineers, Environmental Scientists, Approvals specialists and ESG consultants help clients to navigate the complexities to assist with a smooth transition from mining to closure to preferred PMLU by providing coordinated, comprehensive services, including: 

• Environmental Impact Statements (EIS) and baseline studies. 
• Project approval pathways for new developments and modifications. 
• Broad stakeholder consultation to set expectations.  
• Identification and management of best practice progressive rehabilitation.   
• Mine and dump scheduling strategies to reduce end-of-mine life closure tasks. 
• Final landform design and scheduling, optimised in conjunction with continued mining operations. 
• Waste management strategies. 
• Strategies for PMLU options.  
• Scenario analysis for premature/unplanned mine closure and rehabilitation requirements.
• Feasibility studies for PMLU including research trials and costing.

Xenith – Know the way.

Get in touch with Xenith. Our team of experts will successfully help you understand your project’s unique possibilities and challenges in planning for mine closure and transition to post-mining land use.