ISO/TC 82/SC 7 - Mine closure and reclamation management

This document is a supplementary document to the International standard for managing mining legacies (ISO 24419-1) that provides illustrative case studies and resources providing further reading. The content provided in this document covers various regions of the world as a supplement to ISO 24419-1. The purpose is to provide insight into specific case studies that show how practitioners have addressed mining legacy challenges in practice. This document does not provide instructions for managing mining legacies, but instead a resource with insights from other practitioners, thereby widening knowledge of what can be required to effectively manage mining legacies.

This document establishes requirements and recommendations for managing mining legacies. It can be used by any public, private or community enterprise, or group, but is deemed particularly relevant to government and the mining industry who have a legal right or obligation to manage mining legacies. This document encompasses a range of activities that are relevant to planning, implementing and stewardship, performance and reporting when managing mining legacies while engaging stakeholders throughout the process. It is applicable to all mining legacies from large complex sites to medium and small mines. It is also applicable to mining legacies in a range of climates, land uses and social contexts. Managing mining legacies can pose complex challenges that require high level support and clear responsibilities to ensure delivery of acceptable outcomes. The process of managing mine closure and reclamation for active mines is addressed in ISO 21795 series.

This document provides guidance related to the necessary mine closure and reclamation planning activities for new and operating mines. Recommendations are provided on: — closure and reclamation of a mine site; — land reclamation and water management; — stakeholder engagement; — decision and analysis tools. The following aspects of closure and reclamation are not addressed in this document: — infrastructure such as rail lines, ports, off-site ore loaders, power stations, etc. that are associated with the mine operation, but which are not located at the mine site; — 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 exploration activities; — relinquishment of a closed and reclaimed mine site, or portions thereof, to a party (governmental or private entity) not related to the mine operator; — specific requirements for dealing with the radiological aspects of mine closure and reclamation, such as those that occur at uranium mining and processing facilities and other mines at which naturally occurring radioactive materials are present; however, the other aspects associated with closure and reclamation of these mines are included in this document; and — closure and reclamation of abandoned mines.

This document specifies a framework and the processes involved in mine closure and reclamation planning for new and operating mines. Requirements and recommendations are provided on: — mine closure and reclamation plan objectives and commitments; — technical procedures and techniques; — mitigation of socio-economic impacts; — financial assurance and associated planning; — mine closure and reclamation planning for unplanned closure; — post-closure management plan; and — mine closure and reclamation plan documentation. The following aspects of mine closure and reclamation are not addressed in this document: — infrastructure such as rail lines, ports, off-site ore loaders, power stations, etc. that are associated with the mine operation, but which are not located at the mine site; — 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 exploration activities; — relinquishment of a closed and reclaimed mine site, or portions thereof, to a party (governmental or private entity) not related to the mine operator; — specific requirements for dealing with the radiological aspects of mine closure and reclamation, such as those that occur at uranium mining and processing facilities and other mines at which naturally occurring radioactive materials are present; however, the other aspects associated with closure and reclamation of these mines are included in this document; and — closure and reclamation of abandoned mines.

This document establishes a vocabulary for mine closure and reclamation management.