The De Beers South African operations vary greatly in age: some are more than a hundred years old (for example Kimberley Mines); others are new operations currently being constructed (Voorspoed Mine). The environmental and social issues associated with each mining operation are similar, but at the same time, each is unique. Having recognized this, De Beers has adopted, and is busy with, a roll out of a mine closure planning tool (developed by Anglo American plc) that aims to ensure better integration of environmental and social issues as part of the business process in line with the company's principles and values. The paper describes the drivers for implementation of this integrated approach, the myths dispelled in adopted this process of planning for mine closure, the change in attitude towards mine closure, the challenges experienced in implementing the approach at the various De Beers operations and, as a case study, the adaptation of the mine closure planning tool for an accelerated closure of a small mine, The Oaks Mine, in Limpopo Province.
Mban, M. (2008). Planning for mine closure at De Beers Consolidated Mines - An integrated approach. In A.B. Fourie, M. Tibbett, I.M. Weiersbye, & P. J. Dye (Eds.), Proceedings of the Third International Conference on Mine Closure. Australian Centre for Geomechanics, Johannesburg (pp. 195-206).