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Abstract
There are many different words to describe mine closure, including rehabilitation, reclamation, restoration and decommissioning. Closing mining operations, mainly open pit mines, has required resolution of numerous issues. Mine closure plans involve environmental-protection issues, regulatory issues and community issues. The obvious, and often most expensive of them, is the physical rehabilitation of the disturbances and the elimination of long-term commitments and maintenance. This paper outlines mine-- closure planning and its important component, mine-site rehabilitation. Community consultation and involvement are also referred to as an important component of the mine-closure plans, which are required to ensure satisfactory minesite rehabilitation. Considerations of socioeconomic impact of mine closure and long-term responsibilities are presented.
Introduction
The concept of closure, decommissioning and rehabilitation originated as a formal requirement for nuclear installations and soon included the uranium-mining industry. This concept has now involved the rest of the mining industry (Campbell and Emery, 1995). Mining is usually a relatively short-term land use and, as a consequence, a closure plan is an important aspect of a mining project. Its main aim is the rehabilitation of the disturbed area after mining to recreate a stable and productive locality that is acceptable to the local community and the regulatory agencies (Stepheson and Van Den Bussche, 1996). In the past, many mining companies have seen mine closure as a casual event. However, there are now three main reasons that justify the application of a closure plan. First, planning for closure during all stages in a mine's life results in a large cost savings. Second, the regulatory environment now requires a closure plan. Third, but not least, directors of companies can be jailed for failing to show due diligence in environmental performance, including closure (Mckenna, 1996). Whereas the implementation of a closure plan may incur some cost, ignoring it can be very expensive.
In recent years, much of the work on mine closure and rehabilitation has been conducted in the industrialized world, particularly in the United States, Canada, Australia and some European countries. In these countries, demand has led to relatively high values being placed on land. This is especially true in Europe, where settlements have developed around mining centers. Greater public awareness and concern about environmental degradation has resulted in pressure being placed...