Short Course Abstract:  

Disparate closure expectations from mining project proponents and stakeholders is a common occurrence early in a mining project’s development. When these differing expectations are not reconciled early and re-assessed regularly throughout the project lifecycle, it can lead to costly delays in environmental assessment and permitting, as well as the development and communication of unrealistic closure timelines and underestimated closure liabilities. These inconsistencies can directly impact project feasibility, investor confidence, and long-term financial planning.  

Both the International Council on Mining and Metal’s Integrated Closure Good Practice Guide, and ISO Standard 21795-1 Mine closure and reclamation planning emphasize the importance of a shared closure vision as the foundation for economically sound closure and reclamation planning. However, mining projects frequently leap to defining closure objectives and implementing generic closure activities without first establishing alignment on a shared closure vision. This can result in inefficient allocation of resources and increased financial risk. 

 By first securing alignment on the closure vision, including post mining land use potential and design principles, a mining project can ensure closure objectives are site-specific, economically viable, and communicated as outcomes rather than prescriptive actions. This enables agreement on an acceptable level of residual risk to achieve the closure vision and exploration into the potential for future, post-mining land use.  

 Join Okane for a facilitated closure planning workshop where attendees will engage in a closure planning case study exercise. Through stakeholder role-play, attendees learn how to navigate competing priorities, explore future land-use potential, and codevelop a collaborative closure vision that balances environmental responsibility with economic sustainability. 

Short Course Objectives: 

Participants will:

• Understand how design decisions early in the project lifecycle impact closure costs, residual risks, and success of post mining land transition 
• Understand the economic risks associated with misaligned closure and post mining land transition expectations, including delays in permitting 
• Learn how to develop a shared closure vision that supports technically feasible, economically viable and socially acceptable outcomes 
• Practice stakeholder engagement strategies through role-play to navigate competing priorities and build consensus 
• Learn how to apply closure planning frameworks from ICMM and ISO standards 

 Target Audience: 

• Mining project managers and Life of Asset planners – involved in lifecycle and closure strategy planning 
• Environmental professionals – seeking to align closure planning with stakeholder expectations 
• Community engagement leads – working to ensure closure visions reflect local priorities and future land use potential 
• Financial analysts and investors – interested in understanding closure-related costs, risks, and liabilities 
• Regulators and permitting authorities – who assess closure plans and their feasibility 
• Consultants – working in the closure space