Mine Closure - Mining and the Environment: From Ore to Metal - page 809

TABLE 21.3
(Continued)

Issues Objectives Control

Socio-economic mitigation

Workforce

● Re-employment
● Relocation

● Assistance with looking for other
work and moving
● Financial assistance
● Counselling

Local communities

● Stable economy
● Good health
● Education facilities

● Regional development plan
● Develop local self-sustainable
enterprises
● Establish foundation or trust fund
for essential services
● Relocate in-migrants

Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the majority of cases, the most logical and practically
achievable land use will be the same as that which existed prior to mining. Before this can
be coni rmed, however, it is necessary to consider the condition of the site as it will be at
the conclusion of the project, and the measures that will be required to return the surface
to a condition that can support and sustain the intended land use. It follows that selection
of the ultimate land use should take place during the pre-construction (mine feasibility/
environmental permitting) stage so that environmental management measures required to
establish the intended land use can be at least conceptually designed, quantii ed and costed
at the outset. This is also the best time to initiate consultations, in relation to post-mining
land use, with local communities.
Local communities, beside the host government and the mining company, are the main
stakeholders in mine closure planning, but other groups and individuals may also show
interest in mining closure issues as illustrated in Figure 21.1 . Closure of the Kelian Gold
Mine in Indonesia ( Case 21.1 ), provides a compelling case for the use of a forum-based
participatory approach to achieve 'buy in' of stakeholders to closure plans.
The importance of consulting host communities is intuitive - they have to live with
mined out areas. However, the main responsibility for mine closure rests with the host
government and the mining company. The host government is responsible for setting roles
and responsibilities, and for enforcing regulatory requirements. Eventually the ultimate
responsibility for the mine site also remains with the government once the mining com-
pany has released the area. The mining company is responsible for planning and imple-
mentation of mine closure, its i nancing, and initial post-closure management until the
mine site is declared safe and environmentally stable.
Two distinct types of land use are recognized: (1) economically productive land uses
such as agriculture, forestry and tourism; and (2) natural ecosystems which provide habi-
tats for l ora and fauna that are native to the area. Natural ecosystems may also support
other activities such as hunting and recreation which may have an economic component.
Landform design involves planning the i nal coni guration of the land surface. The land-
forms that may be retained or created are constrained by topography and natural barriers
such as rivers; property boundaries; type and size of mine void; the extent of site preparation

The importance of consulting
host communities is intuitive -
they have to live with mined out
areas.