Mine Closure Hub

A resource with economic value that an individual, community group or mining company owns or controls with the expectation that it will provide a future benefit. Includes infrastructure, human resources, natural resources, institutions and relationships. These are sometimes referred to as capitals because they can be used to generate additional resources; for example, people’s human resources (skills and education) can generate economic returns and higher earnings.

Phase following a temporary interruption to mining operations. The site is secured. Infrastructure is maintained intact. Activities are carried out to reduce potential for environmental impacts for the period of time before the mine reopens or activities are undertaken to progress mine closure.

Developing the ability of individuals, groups, institutions and organisations to identify and solve problems. A managed process for upgrading skills, improving procedures and strengthening organisational competence.

Mine at which all mining activities have stopped but where responsibility for regulatory compliance and permit obligations remain with the owner, agent, manager or permit holder.

Actions that will be carried out during implementation of a mine closure plan.

A description of what is to be achieved through undertaking mine closure activities. Derived from the overall closure vision and closure principles. Are site specific and may be particular to individual mine domains or aspects of closure.

Evaluation of the risks and opportunities associated with mine closure and post-closure transition.

High-level description of what a company wants to achieve through implementation of a closure plan. Guides the overall closure strategy and selection of closure objectives.

The terms ‘local community’ and ‘neighbouring community’ are used to refer to a group of people living near a mine who will be directly affected by its closure. The effects may be economic, social or environmental. ‘Affected community’ and ‘community of interest’ are broader terms and encompass a group of interacting people who may be geographically dispersed but linked by shared culture, experiences or interests. They may not live near the mine. They could be dispersed along a resource corridor or, in the case of some indigenous peoples and traditional owners, no longer residing in their traditional territories but nevertheless maintaining a connection to land.

The process of building active and sustainable communities over the long term. Aims to empower and help communities improve their social and physical environments, increase equity and social justice, overcome social exclusion and build capacities. It also involves them in decision-making about matters that affect them.

An ongoing and inclusive process in which a mining company connects with a group of people who live near each other or have common interests. Based on a set of guiding principles, strategies and approaches that respect the right of community members to be informed, consulted, involved and empowered about matters that affect them.

The term is often used interchangeably with ‘public participation’. While community engagement is seen as an ongoing, two-way or multi-way process, public participation originally centred on specific decisions by organisations, particularly industry and government organisations, in which decision-making rather than relationships was the focus.

A set of actions to correct a problem, non-compliance or underperformance. Maps out a path to improve performance and/or reduce risk. Often developed in response to an incident or failure.

A process involving active listening and talking which can enable informed decision-making. Implies acceptance of and respect for the points of view of other people. Diversity and division are openly addressed.

Process by which a company sells part or all its assets. This can occur at any stage of the mining lifecycle and involves the transfer of ownership, infrastructure, liabilities and responsibility for mine closure.

The process of increasing peoples’ ability to participate in decision-making about matters that affect them. It includes the capacity to influence and negotiate with the institutions that affect their lives and to hold those institutions accountable.

Funds that will be available to complete mine closure works, even if the mining company goes bankrupt or otherwise abandons the site. Financial assurance is sometimes called a guarantee or a closure bond. Required by government authorities in many jurisdictions.

An established feature of human rights norms. Requires that all development proposals, including mining, should only proceed with the freely given consent of the affected people, and that all relevant information about the proposal should be available to those people before they provide their consent. Definitions originally formulated in relation to indigenous peoples, as in the United Nations Declaration of the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) and IFC Performance Standard 7 (IFC PS7) on Indigenous Peoples.

A procedure for managing complaints, disputes and grievances lodged by affected stakeholders about mining activities. Aims to resolve issues before they escalate. Methods for lodging a grievance include the use of suggestion boxes, hotlines, website forms or talking with a nominated person (usually a member of the community relations team).

Recognition of the inherent value of each person regardless of their background, where they live, what they look like, what they think or what they believe. Based on the principles of dignity, equality and mutual respect, which are shared across cultures, religions and philosophies. They are about being treated fairly, treating others fairly and having the ability to make genuine life choices.

Any change, whether anticipated or unanticipated, positive or negative, brought about by a development activity (such as mining). In the context of mine closure, impacts are changes that have environmental, political, economic or social significance to society. see also the social impact definition.

A formal process of identifying potential future consequences of a current or proposed action.

Distinct social and cultural groupings that have the following characteristics:

• self-identification as a member of a distinct cultural group and recognition of this identity by other people
• collective attachment to a geographically distinct habitat or ancestral territory and to the area’s natural resources
• customary cultural, economic, social and/or political institutions that are separate from those of the dominant society or culture
• a language which is often different from the official language of the country or region.

Cultural knowledge, innovations and practices of community groups that can be observed within their traditional lifestyles and (often subconscious) daily activity.

The collection of site-specific information that will inform a closure plan, including physical, environmental, social and regulatory information. Initiated with baseline data and updated with additional information as it is collected.

The purpose that humans apply to the land available to them. How the land is managed, including how the natural environment is adapted to human needs.

Providing jobs for local people. The geographic definition of ‘local’ may vary; cities and regions within a country can be considered ‘local’.

Purchasing materials, products and services from local providers. The geographic definition of ‘local’ may vary; cities and regions within a country can be considered ‘local’.

The length of time an asset (for example, a mine, processing facilities, refineries, smelters, rail, port, utilities, towns and associated infrastructure) is owned, operated then closed by the mining company up until divestment or relinquishment. The period includes exploration, development, operations, closure and post-closure.

The length of time a mine is planned to be extracting minerals. Based on a mine plan which considers the available capital and the ore reserves.

The full period of the mining process. Typically includes exploration, development, operations, closure and post-closure. The same as life-of-asset.

The positive contribution mining makes to society, particularly for local communities. Can be short-term or long-term and tangible or intangible. Examples include community investment programs, skills training, jobs (direct and indirect), infrastructure development and government revenue generated from royalties and taxes.

A process for empowerment and social inclusion (particularly for vulnerable people and minority groups, such as indigenous communities). Underpinned by the principle that mining-affected people have the right to be involved in decision-making about matters that affect them.

While public participation originally centred on specific decisions by organisations, particularly industry and government organisations, community engagement is seen as an ongoing, two-way or multi-way process, in which relationships rather than decisions may be the focus. 

The period after the completion of all works needed to close a mine site. Sometimes refers only to a period of monitoring and maintenance leading up to relinquishment but may include a period in which ongoing activity (such as the operation of a water treatment plant) is needed.

Includes activities required to maintain and manage infrastructure and site rehabilitation until relinquishment is possible. If not possible, the mine owner is responsible for the site’s ongoing maintenance and management.

Includes monitoring after closure, such as socio-economic, water quality, water quantity, terrain, ecological and air quality monitoring. Results are compared with success criteria.

Refers to the use of mined land once active mining has been completed, including the period when the site is undergoing closure activities.

Qualitative or quantitative data that are collected to address a specific objective. Primary data may include original information gathered from surveys, focus groups, independent observations and test results.

Ongoing efforts during construction and mine operations that seek to advance closure activities. Examples include rehabilitation and revegetation of disturbed land and decommissioning and demolition of unused infrastructure.

Step-by step relinquishment of a mine site. Discrete mine areas are closed and brought into a condition suitable for relinquishment. Typically occurs over a number of years. See also relinquishment.

The return of mined land to a stable, productive and self-sustaining condition after considering beneficial uses of the site and surrounding land. Reinstatement of functional ecosystems where restoration is not the objective.

The end of a company’s ownership of and responsibility for a mine. Involves the transfer of ownership and residual liability to the government authority or a third party. Implies that the mining company has completed all obligations outlined in the closure plan to the satisfaction of the authorities (and possibly other stakeholders).

Beneficial reuse of a closed mining operation. Can include reuse of the land (e.g., energy generation or residential) or recycling of the infrastructure at another site.

Re-establishment of ecosystem structure and function to its near-natural state or replication of a desired reference ecosystem.

People whose rights are (or may be) impacted by mining.

Uncertainty about the consequences of an activity (such as mining) with respect to something that humans value (such as livelihoods, air quality, social amenity etc). Risks can be negative (threats) or positive (opportunities).

An administrative system for dealing with risk, including steps to guide an organisation’s practices and processes. Core components include establishing the context, assessing the risks, designing and implementing controls, and monitoring outcomes.

Qualitative or quantitative information that has already been collected for some other purpose. Sources may include Census reports, journal articles, technical or academic studies and other publications.

The consequences to groups of people, or society as a whole, arising from a decision or an action. Can be positive or negative and can be experienced or felt directly or indirectly, over the short or long term.

The provision and use of company resources – in addition to those resources for core business activities and mitigation of negative impacts – to generate or enhance positive economic and social returns in local communities.

A much-debated colloquial term referring to the level of acceptance or approval continually granted to an organisation’s operations by a local community and other stakeholders.

Some scholars choose not to use this term. They argue that it encourages mining companies to limit their thinking to those factors that threaten their ability to achieve business objectives. Taking such a narrow risk perspective may increase the likelihood that the burden of risk is carried by those people with the least resources to deal with it (such as host communities).

How a company handles its commitments, interactions and activities as they relate to local communities. Can include negotiating agreements, compensating for loss and disruption, ensuring that mining-affected people receive timely and accessible information, and that their grievances are investigated and remedied where needed. Effective social performance practice prioritises respect for human rights, harm avoidance and equitable benefit sharing.

Uncertainty and ambiguity about the physical or non-physical consequences of a future event or activity (such as mining) on individuals or society.

A formalised process to recognise and describe social risks; identify risk sources, causes and consequences; determine the nature of level of risk; then decide how to modify the risk (remove risk source, change the likelihood) or change the consequence of the risk.

The shift from an economy dominated by mining to a post-mining economy.

The planning, considerations and activities undertaken throughout the life-of-mine for the transition of a community (including mine employees) towards closure of a mine.

Individuals and groups who have an interest in particular activities and decisions. Includes people who can influence the decision or activities, as well as those affected by them.

Stakeholders may be individuals, interest groups, government agencies, non-government organisations or corporate organisations. They may include politicians, commercial and industrial enterprises, labour unions, academics, religious groups, national social and environmental groups, public sector agencies, and the media.

A process that seeks to identify and describe the interests and relationships of all the stakeholders associated with a given mining operation. A necessary precondition to participatory planning and project management.

Specifications, measurements and requirements that, if met, signify that the closure activities have met the closure objectives. Success criteria may be quantitative or qualitative. They may have a time component and may also be linked to specific management or monitoring activities.

Occurs when unexpected changes in conditions result in mining stopping ahead of the date in the current mine plan.

Temporary closure is a suspension of mining activities for a limited period. May also be referred to as ‘inactive’.

People who by virtue of gender, ethnicity, age, physical or mental disability, economic disadvantage, or social status may be more adversely affected by mining than others.