Mine closure is challenging at many levels. Difficulties around physical closure are complicated by issues regarding the nature and acceptance of closure outcomes and the ability to 'operationalise' the process by integrating closure considerations with everyday business practices. This paper describes a toolkit on integrated closure planning which was developed by the International Council on Mining and Metals (ICMM) for the mining sector. The guide is intended to promote a more disciplined approach to integrated closure planning to increase the uniformity of good practices across the sector. The tools within the guide bring community engagement, early closure planning, operational implementation of progressive closure planning and a cross-functional approach into effective exit strategies. Some of the tools are already available in earlier ICMM publications, member practices and other sector-affiliated publications. Others have been developed to cover identified gaps. With diligent application of thought and engagement to integrated closure planning, arriving at mutually beneficial closure outcomes could become a less daunting task for mines. it is our hope that the toolkit provides practical guidance towards this goal.
Fleury, A. M. & Copley, C. (2008). Tools for integrated closure planning. 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. 57-67).