PROGRAM: Mine rehabilitation and closure
Completion criteria and risk based monitoring
Access the Framework, full project report and individual chapters (Click here)
This project delivered a framework and recommendations for developing site-specific completion criteria and associated monitoring for Western Australian post-mining rehabilitation. The innovative, collaborative approach to the project involved partners from the mining industry, government and research sectors working together to develop a robust, and scientifically informed framework.
Foundational research documenting industry and stakeholder perspectives, a global review of guidelines and published literature and in depth case study development provided a valuable platform from which the framework was developed. The project an inaugural WABSI project and operated between 2017- 2019.
Mine site closure: addressing the environmental challenges
The development of acceptable and achievable completion criteria is a necessary part of mine closure planning and fundamental to the successful transition of mined land to a future use. Completion criteria have been defined in the mining context as agreed standards or levels of performance that indicate the success of rehabilitation and enable an operator to determine when its liability for an area will cease.
This project addressed the need to build capacity and an understanding of how to best measure rehabilitation success and to set practical outcomes and measurable completion criteria, particularly with respect to environmental parameters.
Project partners
Key project partners included the Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety, Department of Water and Environmental Regulation, Iluka, Alcoa, Hanson, Independence Group, South32, Roy Hill, BHP and Rio Tinto.
The project was delivered by the Centre for Mine Site Restoration, Curtin University, the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions, Murdoch University, Edith Cowan University and The University of Western Australia.
Project outcomes
The project developed a standalone framework and full project report.
Framework
The Framework has been endorsed by the Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety as a tool to assist with the development of acceptable completion criteria within a mine closure plan prepared in accordance with the Guidelines for Preparing Mine Closure Plans.
Full project report
The full report provides access to the framework, and foundational chapters documenting industry and stakeholder perspectives, a global review of guidelines and published literature and in depth case studies. The full report also outlines future research directions. These can be accessed in the full Completion Criteria Project Report or by individual chapters 1 to 7.
Chapter 1 – Introduction
Chapter 2 – The Framework
Chapter 3 – Background, Principles and Context for Risk-Based Completion Criteria and Monitoring
Chapter 4 – Stakeholder Interviews and Industry Survey
Chapter 5 – Case Studies
Chapter 6 – Summary, Limitations and Recommendations
Chapter 7 – References
Access the Framework, full project report and individual chapters