ABSTRACT
Mining faces distinctive challenges in the future. The concept of closure and decommissioning now involves the entire mining industry. As a consequence, it is essential to recognize in the mine planning process that a commitment to mitigating the environmental effects of a project is a fundamental component, and a closure plan is an important aspect of the mining project. Mining companies must be committed to seeking out the cleanest, most environmentally sound mining techniques. Environmental concerns include liability considerations about existing and closed operations, the need for quantification of measures to achieve compliance, and closure plans. New and evolving environmental protection expectations will present a significant cost to the industry to achieve the economic and environmentally satisfactory closure of these sites. Legislation mandating long-term liability forces mine owners to consider the post-closure environmental impacts of mining. These stipulations impose retroactive liability to mine owner in the Unites States. Mining companies now must investigate three aspects of closure planning: the indicative mine closure plan, its predictive impacts, and the implementation cost for bonding. Mine closure is not simply a phase of the mining cycle but is inextricably linked to environmental liability.
