Post mining land use – practice mapping options

The Challenge

Although an inevitable end point for all mining operations, planning for end-of-mine transition and the relinquishment of mined ground is restricted by the lack of a systematic evidence base as to how successful end-of-mine transitions to subsequent economic purposes have been achieved and how the risks and benefits of transition can be balanced by mine operators.

Proposed Solution

This project will deliver enhanced understanding of the challenge of post-closure value optimisation through:

• rigorous desktop review of research relevant to the repurposing of mine sites;
• interrogation of national and international databases relating to mine closure outcomes and re-use, and;
• case studies of mine repurposing in Australia, consulting broadly with community stakeholders.

Proposed Benefit to WA

The significance of the mining industry to Western Australia’s economy, the remoteness of some WA mining sites and communities, and the fragility of the WA environment leave our State disproportionately exposed to the risks of mine closure.

Better understanding the possible solutions for optimising post-mining land use planning will improve the net benefit of mining to the WA community.