Planning for mine closure: Some case studies in Ghana

Abstract

Mines are known to generate environmental impacts both during their useful lifetime and after they have ceased to be in operation. At closure, when the mine is not generating any income, it is difficult if not impossible to raise the financial resources necessary to carry out any meaningful remedial works. It is therefore important to plan the closure phase and to make financial provision to meet all environmental requirements while the mine is still in production. It has become the accepted practice in many countries that measures are in place to ensure that, after closure, mines are left in a condition which will minimize long‐term environmental problems. Good planning is the key to the successful control of long‐term environmental problems associated with the post‐operational phase of mining, and planning for mine closure should be an integral part of the general mining plan. In Ghana, mines are required to operate in accordance with, inter alia, the Minerals and Mining Law (PNDCL 153), Ghana's Mining and Environmental Guidelines, the Ghana Environmental Protection Act 1994, Act 490, and also to follow internationally recognized best environmental practice. The case studies included in this paper illustrate the conceptual plan of two gold mines in Ghana.