ISO/DIS 21795-1

DRAFT INTERNATIONAL STANDARD
ISO/DIS 21795-1
ISO/TC 82/SC 7 Secretariat: KATS
Voting begins on: Voting terminates on:
2020-08-10 2020-11-02
Mine closure and reclamation planning —
Part 1:
Requirements
Planification de la fermeture et de la restauration des mines —
Partie 1: Exigences
ICS: 73.020
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ISO/DIS 21795-1:2020(E)
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Foreword ..........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................v

Introduction ................................................................................................................................................................................................................................vi

1 Scope ................................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 1

2 Normative references ...................................................................................................................................................................................... 2

3 Terms and definitions ..................................................................................................................................................................................... 2

4 Mine closure and reclamation planning framework ...................................................................................................... 2

5 Framework elements for mine closure and reclamation planning .................................................................3

5.1 Responsibility .......................................................................................................................................................................................... 3

5.1.1 Company responsibility ............................................................................................................................................. 3

5.1.2 Stakeholder engagement .......................................................................................................................................... 3

5.1.3 Regulations ........................................................................................................................................................................... 3

5.1.4 Financial plan ..................................................................................................................................................................... 4

5.2 Integration .................................................................................................................................................................................................. 4

5.2.1 Physical and chemical control for sustainable land and water use ..................................... 4

5.2.2 Mine closure and reclamation treatment resilience ......................................................................... 4

5.2.3 Long-term post-closure, reclamation and relinquishment ......................................................... 4

5.2.4 Social transition to closure ...................................................................................................................................... 4

5.3 Design ............................................................................................................................................................................................................. 5

5.3.1 Mine closure and reclamation objectives ................................................................................................... 5

5.3.2 Timely mine closure and reclamation planning ................................................................................... 5

5.3.3 Mine design and operation for mine closure and reclamation ................................................ 5

5.4 Risk and opportunity assessment and management ............................................................................................. 5

5.5 E valuation and improvement ..................................................................................................................................................... 5

5.5.1 Quality assurance ............................................................................................................................................................ 5

5.5.2 Adaptive learning and management ............................................................................................................... 6

5.6 Knowledge and data management ........................................................................................................................................ 6

6 Mine closure and reclamation planning activities ............................................................................................................ 6

6.1 General ........................................................................................................................................................................................................... 6

6.2 Mine closure and reclamation plan objectives and commitments ............................................................. 7

6.3 Technical procedures and techniques ................................................................................................................................. 8

6.3.1 General...................................................................................................................................................................................... 8

6.3.2 Mine site characterization ....................................................................................................................................... 8

6.3.3 Physical and chemical stability............................................................................................................................ 8

6.3.4 Contaminated media .................................................................................................................................................... 9

6.3.5 Infrastructure decommissioning and disposal ...................................................................................... 9

6.3.6 Post mining land use plan .....................................................................................................................................10

6.3.7 Alternatives and opportunities analyses .................................................................................................10

6.3.8 Reclamation.......................................................................................................................................................................11

6.3.9 Progressive mine closure and reclamation ............................................................................................11

6.3.10 Mine closure and reclamation schedule ...................................................................................................11

6.3.11 Mine closure and reclamation cost estimate ........................................................................................11

6.3.12 Management of risks and opportunities ..................................................................................................12

6.4 Mitigating socio-economic impacts....................................................................................................................................12

6.5 Financial planning and assurance .......................................................................................................................................12

6.6 Mine closure and reclamation planning for unplanned closure................................................................13

6.7 Post-closure management plan .............................................................................................................................................13

6.7.1 General...................................................................................................................................................................................13

6.7.2 Adaptive management .............................................................................................................................................13

6.7.3 Post-closure maintenance.....................................................................................................................................14

6.7.4 Site relinquishment ....................................................................................................................................................14

6.8 Documentation ....................................................................................................................................................................................14

6.8.1 General...................................................................................................................................................................................14

6.8.2 Mine closure and reclamation plan ..............................................................................................................15

6.8.3 Mine closure and reclamation plan updates .........................................................................................15

6.8.4 Knowledge and data management ................................................................................................................15

ISO (the International Organization for Standardization) is a worldwide federation of national standards

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The committee responsible for this document is ISO/TC 82, Mining, SC 7, Mine Closure and Reclamation

This standard provides requirements and recommendations for mine closure and reclamation planning

applicable to both new and operating mines. The overarching objective is to promote consistency and

quality in planning for mine closure and reclamation internationally. A second document provides

The intended audience are those with responsibility for, or an interest in, planning for mine closure and

reclamation. This includes mine planners and designers, mine operators, regulators, environmental

assessors, communities, Indigenous Peoples, and financial stakeholders, amongst others.

Early, continual and comprehensive mine closure and reclamation planning is essential for all new and

• Leads to the highest degree of environmental and social success, usually at a lower cost than if mine

closure and reclamation planning is not done from the beginning of the mining project;

• Reduces risks and liabilities throughout the mine’s operational life and on closure;

• Allows for stakeholder involvement throughout, so that relevant knowledge and understanding are

• Allows for devoting more attention to sustainable development activities identifying socio-economic

• Helps build trust with governments, stakeholders and international communities;

• Provides additional planning time to understand the complexity of the biophysical characteristics

• Provides for continual improvement and updating of closure and reclamation plans;

• Allows companies to better integrate closure and reclamation activities with operations;

• Provides time to identify, research and develop new technologies for mine closure strategies and mine

closure treatments that increase robustness and resilience of mine closure and reclamation; and

• Allows companies to better provision for and schedule closure and reclamation funding.

There are many leading practices and guidance documents related to mine closure and reclamation

planning available in various jurisdictions and used by many mining companies and stakeholders. This

document captures the intent of such guidance documents so that it can be applied globally.

This document specifies a framework and processes involved in mine closure and reclamation planning

This document does not provide detailed survey, testing or monitoring methods, detailed engineering

procedures, detailed product requirements, or detailed construction and operational procedures.

Occupational health and safety management related to closure and reclamation, construction and

This document is not intended to be applied to closure and reclamation of abandoned mines.

The following documents are referred to in the text in such a way that some or all of their content

constitutes requirements of this document. For dated references, only the edition cited applies. For

undated references, the latest edition of the referenced document (including any amendments) applies.

For the purposes of this document, the terms and definitions given in ISO DIS 20305 apply.

ISO and IEC maintain terminological databases for use in standardization at the following addresses:

Six framework elements, shown in Figure 1 and detailed in clause 5, form the foundation for establishing

and maintaining effective mine closure and reclamation planning. Meanwhile, details are also provided

on the processes, activities and steps necessary to implement the framework (see clause 6).

Responsibility; inherent to the entire mine closure and reclamation planning process is company

responsibility (see clause 5.1.1), including stakeholder engagement (see clause 5.1.2) and that

local jurisdictional requirements can exist (see clause 5.1.3). Critical to responsibility is financial

Integration; mine closure and reclamation planning is an integral part of the mining life cycle, including

with respect to physical and chemical controls for sustainable land and water use (see clause 5.2.1),

that mine closure and reclamation treatments are required to be resilient (see clauses 5.2.2 and 5.2.3),

and socio-economic considerations in the transition to closure are considered (see clause 5.2.4),

Engagement with stakeholders on mine closure and reclamation (see clause 5.1.2 ) is also a critical

Design; developed in the context of meeting closure and rehabilitation objectives which in turn are

developed in consultation with stakeholders (see clauses 5.3/1 and 5.1.2). Robust lifecycle design

and management should reflect this so as to facilitate successful mine closure and reclamation (see

Risk and opportunity assessment and management; the process to assess and manage mine

closure and reclamation risks, and to identify and act on opportunities throughout the life of mine (see

Evaluation and improvement; quality assurance provides the maintenance of the mine closure and

reclamation planning standard at the corporate and operational level (see clause 5.5.1), while the

process of adaptive management facilitates continuous improvement through the life of mine (see

Knowledge; identifying uncertainty through knowledge gaps, building knowledge, managing,

disseminating and retaining knowledge and data that support mine closure and reclamation planning

Mine closure and reclamation are company responsibilities, and the associated planning shall be

incorporated in company policies and procedures and be endorsed by company executives with enough

authority to allocate the necessary financial and human resources. Companies shall demonstrate that

they have internal procedures and standards emanating from the company’s policies to conduct mine

The respective roles and responsibilities for mine closure and reclamation for any given mine site

shall be established and clearly documented in relevant corporate and operating policies, plans and

procedures. Individuals responsible for mine closure and reclamation planning shall have the necessary

competencies, including education, training and experience to meet regulatory and other requirements.

Planning shall ensure stakeholders are engaged at all stages of the life-of-mine planning process.

Outcomes of engagement shall be addressed in mine closure and reclamation plans and in their

implementation. Stakeholders shall be identified early and updated progressively and include, the

host and downstream communities, regulators, non-government organizations, investors, community

Mine closure and reclamation planning and design can be covered in local, national and regional

The company shall develop a financial plan, that details the financial provision required at different

stages of the mine’s life, cash flow, including unplanned closure, as well as for the life of mine, which

ensures funding to fulfill the commitments of the mine closure and reclamation plan.

Mine closure and reclamation planning and design shall meet the required obligations and leave the

mine site in a stable and safe condition and provide for ongoing post-mining land use. Mine features

shall not release chemicals into the air, water or surrounding soils that result in significant impacts to

To meet these requirements the company shall establish mine closure and reclamation objectives and

measurable completion criteria. The company also shall provide for monitoring of the success of mine

Mine closure and reclamation treatments shall be resilient so that they monitor, detect and respond to

risks in a dynamic environment. The treatments provide stability of focus on commitments prior to,

during, or following changes and disturbances, so that objectives are met and sustained under both

Mine closure, reclamation planning and design shall provide sufficient resilience to reduce the risk of

catastrophic and/or chronic failure and to enhance the potential for post closure facilities and landforms

to adapt to changed conditions and to self-heal as necessary following damaging natural events

with minimal active management. Well established stakeholder engagement shall build resilience by

providing engagement during dynamic processes of mine closure and reclamation planning. The mine

closure and reclamation plan shall also demonstrate that post closure facilities and landforms have

been designed for closure in a manner sufficiently resilient to cope with the effects of climate change.

The post-closure phase toward relinquishment, shall provide for adaptive management, and for

ongoing environmental protection until completion criteria and post mining land use requirements are

met, and shall include site management that provides necessary monitoring, inspections, reporting,

maintenance, and repairs, as well as regular certifications of the integrity of mine waste containment

structures to the point of long term closure and relinquishment. Secure long-term funding shall be

The mine closure and reclamation plan shall consider options for potential access controls to protect

human health and safety and the integrity of the post closure environment and post mining landforms.

Access controls can include physical controls that are compatible with the land use objectives and/or

Mine site relinquishment plans shall be established which provide a management, financial and

administrative structure to support the necessary activities discussed above and which describe which

of these responsibilities the mining company will transfer to other entities, including other companies,

Stakeholder engagement is integral to developing plans for social transition. Planning for social

transition shall include provision for social transition costs and for potential social investment projects

Mine closure and reclamation objectives shall be established as a basis for mine closure and reclamation

planning. With equal priorities, these objectives shall include the management of human health and

environmental risks, providing for the sustainability of the mine closure and reclamation works and

resulting land uses, and reducing long-term maintenance requirements and liabilities.

Objectives shall also address socio-economic aspects of mine closure and reclamation. This shall

include managing the transition of the workforce and communities through to and beyond closure. It

shall also consider future post-closure opportunities provided by the closed and reclaimed site for the

Closure criteria will be developed which can measure the success of the mine closure and reclamation

For new mines, mine closure and reclamation planning, including the associated post mining land use

planning, shall commence with the initial mine development planning, be included in the environmental

assessment and permitting of the mining project and be continually refined and updated thereafter as

necessary. For operating mines, mine closure and reclamation planning shall be undertaken as soon

as possible in accordance with the requirements in this document. Stakeholder engagement shall be

undertaken to share knowledge and reach agreement on mine closure and reclamation objectives and

Mine closure and reclamation objectives, risks and opportunities shall be identified within the

planning, design and operation of post closure facilities and post mining landforms. Scheduling of

progressive reclamation shall be included for mine features and domains such as tailings and mine rock

management, mine pits, underground workings, heap leach management facilities, processing facilities,

water management infrastructure, and all forms of supporting and service infrastructure to optimise

Risks of failure of the mine closure and reclamation plan elements and risks to achieving the post-

closure and reclamation objectives shall be assessed and managed by implementing appropriate

risk management plans. These risks include those to human health and safety, the environment and

communities. These plans shall be regularly updated during the operating phase of the mine to ensure

Mine closure and reclamation opportunities shall be identified and managed throughout the lifecycle of

Quality assurance shall be provided by competent and qualified professionals. It shall include, as

a minimum, the peer review of the mine closure and reclamation plan, the design during its various

stages of development, and inspections and certifications of the integrity of post closure facilities and

post mining landforms that are to remain in place. The company shall have policies in place that require

quality assurance be performed based on a quality assurance plan that is part of the mine c