A framework for developing completion criteria for mine closure and rehabilitation

Area of Science:

• Environmental Science
• Mining Engineering
• Ecology

Background:

• Mining's economic importance in Australia is countered by significant environmental and social costs.
• Rehabilitation of mine sites is mandated globally to ensure safety and post-mining land use.
• Existing guidelines lack measurable criteria for rehabilitation success, causing regulatory disputes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a systematic framework for defining mine closure and rehabilitation completion criteria.
• To address the lack of clear, measurable standards in mine rehabilitation.
• To facilitate smoother progression towards mine closure and relinquishment.

Main Methods:

• Global literature review on mine rehabilitation and closure.
• Collaborative research with mining stakeholders in Western Australia.
• Development of a six-step framework for defining completion criteria.

Main Results:

• A systematic, six-step framework for defining mine closure completion criteria was developed.
• The framework includes steps for land use selection, objective setting, reference selection, attribute definition, criteria setting, and performance evaluation.
• This is the first framework offering a step-by-step guide for site-specific criteria and risk-based monitoring.

Conclusions:

• The proposed framework provides a clear, actionable guide for establishing mine rehabilitation completion criteria.
• It enhances consistency and reduces discrepancies between mining proponents and regulators.
• The framework is adaptable for various jurisdictions and industries requiring land rehabilitation globally.