ecologia helps mining companies plan for closure

The Department of Mines and Petroleum and the Environmental Protection Authority have jointly released Guidelines for Preparing Mine Closure Plans (“the Guidelines”).

Western Australia now has a single Guideline to work from, which builds on the material already available in guiding mine closure.  

Key aspects outlined in the Guidelines include;

• Closure plans are now legislated for, and will form part of tenement conditions;
• Closure criteria must consider other existing land uses, ongoing stakeholder consultation and pre-disturbance environmental values;
• The DMP will assess and approve closure plans; and
• Mining companies must provide details of financial provisioning for mine closure and rehabilitation as well as lodging environmental bonds. 

Download the new mine closure guidelines here.

These guidelines came into effect on July 1st 2011, streaming the requirements for closure and rehabilitation plans and reducing regulatory overlap between the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) and the Department of Mines and Petroleum (DMP).

See the Administration of Mine Closure Plans for FAQs.

ecologia invites anyone interested in discussing mine closure to call for obligation free advice on (08) 9322 1944.