Mine closure process

Tommi Kauppila, Geological Survey of Finland, PO Box 1237, 70211 Kuopio, Finland; tommi.kauppila(at)gtk.fi

The Mine Closure Process section reviews the concepts and definitions for mine closure, explores methods to define the objectives of closing a mine, studies fitting the closure operations in the life cycle of a mine project, and discusses the role of a Closure Management Plan in the process. In addition, the legal framework pertinent to mine closure is reviewed, with special emphasis on Finnish legislation.

Techniques and topics

• Mine closure consists of decommissioning and mine site reclamation
  • Outline of the mine closure process
  • Continuous closure
  • Operating the mine for closure
  • Post closure monitoring and maintenance
• Engaging stakeholders in the mine closure process
  • Identifying and working with external stakeholders
  • Internal stakeholders
  • Stakeholder roles and responsibilities
• Mine closure objectives
  • General closure objectives
  • Defining closure objectives to minimize risks and maximize benefits
  • Post closure land uses guide closure planning
  • Identifying closure issues
  • Environmental risk assessment as a tool for mine closure planning
• Mine closure planning
  • Contents of a Closure Management Plan
  • Keeping the Closure Management Plan up to date
  • Closure Action Plans
• Legal requirements for mine closure
  • Statutory requirements for mine closure in Finland
  • Financial provisions for mine closure
• Concepts and definitions of mine closure

• Management of soil contamination at mine areas