May 1, 2025
There’s a lot of great mine closure guidance out there (see list below). And it’s remarkably consistent. I’ve pulled out four broad principles that I think are a useful mental framework for approaching mine closure.
They are:
1. Plan ahead and then iterate. Most closure decisions are made before the start of construction. So if there hasn’t been meaningful planning on post-closure land use and socio-economic transitions before then, the operation may have unintentionally limited their options. Things change all the time on a mining project: changes in commodity prices make something economic that previously wasn’t (and vice versa!), regulatory changes create and close opportunities, exploration and new technologies extend mine life. The closure plan, like all other plans, needs to be updated with new information and changing conditions.
2. Take a holistic and integrative approach. No part of a mining operation is untouched by closure, therefore no part of a mining operation should be excused from closure planning. Technical expertise, engagement teams, financial groups, and affected communities can’t work in isolation. They need to understand each other’s constraints and goals, then co-create solutions.
3. Collect good data and keep good records. A deep understanding of the project’s context (geological, ecological, social, economic, etc.) means that more closure options can be generated. Better designs and plans will be made when they are based on more comprehensive data. Quality records of plans and decisions mean future project participants can understand why decisions were made and more easily revisit options as conditions change.
4. Use metrics other than just NPV to make decisions. Risk-informed decision-making better captures non-financial risks like health and safety, environmental, and reputational risks. NPV distorts the true cost of management, monitoring, and water treatment in perpetuity, making these closure outcomes much more attractive than they should be.
Do these resonate with you? What other principles guide your approach to closure?
Here’s the guidance documents and industry standards I reviewed in preparing this post. What other resources do you use?
The Consolidated Mining Standard Initiative, 2024 Draft Standard for Consultation
ICMM Integrated Mine Closure: Good Practice Guide
The Landform Design Institute’s Position Paper on Landform Design, and its Design Basis Memorandum Guide
GARD Guide, Chapter 11 Sustainable Mine Closure I was particularly impressed with the list of macro scale mine design and planning choices that can be made early on to reduce ARD potential, and reduce water handling effort, both of which can be a significant source of closure liabilities (see section 11.2.1).
Mining Association of Canada’s Towards Sustainable Mining Closure Framework