Glossary of terms – Mine closure hub
This glossary of terms has been developed to help navigate the technical language used by mining companies, including around mine closure.
These terms and their definitions have been adapted from:
- AusIMM Social Responsibility Framework, Appendix 5: Social Performance Definitions ICMM Community Development Toolkit. Available at https://www.icmm.com/en-gb/guidance/social-performance/community-development-toolkit
- IFC, 2014, A Strategic Approach to Early Stakeholder Engagement, A Good Practice Handbook for Junior Companies in the Extractive Industries, Available at https://commdev.org/publications/a-strategic-approach-to-early-stakeholder-engagement/
- ICMM Integrated Mine Closure Good Practice Guide, 2nd Edition (2019). Available at https://www.icmm.com/website/publications/pdfs/environmental-stewardship/2019/guidance_integrated-mine-closure.pdf
28. Life of asset (LoA)
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.
Contact us
Professor Sandy Worden
Research Fellow, Centre for Social Responsibility in Mining