Guidelines for Preparing Mine Closure Plans

Planning for mine closure is a critical component of environmental management in the mining industry. Nationally and internationally, industry-leading practice requires that planning for mine closure should start before mining commences and should continue throughout the life of the mine until final closure and relinquishment. This approach enables better environmental outcomes. It is also good business practice as it should avoid the need for costly remedial earthworks late in the project lifecycle. Recognising the importance of this issue, the Department of Mines and Petroleum (DMP) and the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) jointly released version 1 of the Guidelines for Preparing Mine Closure Plans in 2011. The aim of the guidelines is to ensure that, for every mine in Western Australia, a planning process is in place so that the mine can be closed, decommissioned and rehabilitated to meet DMP and EPA’s objectives for rehabilitation and closure. Mine closure planning should be an integral part of mine development and operations planning. As such, the level of information required will correspond to the life span of the mine and reflect the various stages of the life cycle of the project. These revised guidelines (version 2, 2015) are an update, responding to feedback received during 2013/14 on the 2011 version of the guidelines, while meeting regulatory requirements. Key updates include making the mine closure plan requirements at each stage of a mining operation clearer, reflecting a risk-based approach, an