Optimising Mine Closure Outcomes for the Community - Lessons Learnt

As long as man has been opening new mines, he has been closing others, resulting in a range of mainly adverse effects on local and regional communities. This paper discusses results of research in community consultation in mine closure based on personal experience and discussions with key players at various mine sites and their affected communities in Australia and internationally. It discusses the influence of various factors that impact on mining communities including commuting cycles, isolation, life of mines, age of workforce and so on. A number of case studies, ranging from small-scale gemstone mines to large-scale open cut gold mines are analysed. Even though closure issues for every mine are unique, this paper shows that it is possible to develop a series of principles to assist mining companies and other key community players involved in the closure process to "get it right" for the benefit of all including employees, land owners, governments and other stakeholders.