TRANSFORMING MINE CLOSURE INTO POST MINING SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

Transcription

1 Annual General Meeting 2015 Intergovernmental Forum on Mining, Minerals, Metals and Sustainable Development TRANSFORMING MINE CLOSURE INTO POST MINING SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT Geneva October 2015 Claudine Sigam Human and Institutional Capacities

2 OUTLINE 1. Defining Mining closure in the context of Sustainable development principles 2. Reasons for unplanned mining closures 3. Determinants of post mining transformation into productive sector 4. Post Mining plan and sustainable development principles 5. The Africa Mining Vision tenets 6. Case Studies: Papua New Guinea, Canada, Ghana 7. AMV Recommendations

3 DEFINING MINING CLOSURE A mine is closed when the designated government authority grants a certificate absolving the owner/operator of the mine from any further requirement to operate the mine, and for all liabilities and responsibilities related to the social, environmental and economic impacts of the mine. Mine closure is therefore a process, not a discrete event Design for closure : closure planning start at the inception of mine feasibility The design for closure involves cost effective action by all stakeholders to promote sustainable development on an integrated basis customized to the social, economic and environmental requirements of each non operational, orphaned or abandoned mining site Appropriate closure can result in mines becoming engines for development beyond their own life through a process that minimizes adverse impacts and maximizes after use benefits in the long term 1. Post mning Alliance, 2005

4 REASONS FOR UNPLANNED MINE CLOSURES Approximately 70% of mines have had unplanned or unexpected closures Economic, such as low commodity prices or high costs that may lead a company into voluntary administration or receivership Geological, such as an unanticipated decrease in grade or size of the ore body Technical, such as adverse geotechnical conditions or mechanical/equipment failure Regulatory, due to safety or environmental breaches Policy Changes, which occur from time to time, particularly from non-state actors Social or community pressures Closure of downstream industry or markets Flooding or inrush

5 DETERMINANTS OF POST MINING TRANSFORMATION INTO PRODUCTIVE SECTOR Location specific (Type - toxic or non toxic, Technology, knowledge and skills) Policies and regulations Land use policies and practices frame environmental and social issues associated with mining Anticipate measures for remediation/reclamation built from the start into contract negotiation and throughout the entire value chain, and through the life cycle of the mines Adequate provisions for the managing and funding the costs of mine closures including the posting of mine closure bonds by companies, progressive rehabilitation of mines, planning for management of residue impacts and for post-mine closure economic activities Capacity to negotiate, enforce and monitor contract and laws

6 POST MINE ACTION PLAN AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT PRINCIPLES

7 AFRICA MINING VISION AMV s goal is to create a Transparent, equitable and optimal exploitation of mineral resources to underpin broad-based sustainable growth and socio-economic development The Africa Mining Vision (AMV) is the norm setting authority for harnessing the potential post mining for sustainable development. African governments are called upon to produce the following policy shifts: changing the vision for the sector; expanding the role of linkages; adopting innovative fiscal sector and taxation regimes transforming ASM into a developmental tool; creating transparent and accountable mineral sector governance upholding highest standards of safety, health and environment protection, integrating CRS in local and national development plans. supporting regional integration and cooperation

8 CASE STUDIES Misima Mines, Papua New Guinea Britania Mine Museum, Canada Anglo-Gold Ashanti Aquaculture, Ghana Key questions What is being done to transform closed mines into productive economic sectors? Who are the stakeholders? What are the challenges and how were they overcome? What is the action plan and measures to ensure sustainability?

9 MISIMA, PAPUA NEW GUINEA Challenges Bio-Physical Socio-economic Main stakeholders Action plan to overcome challenges Three workshops (2001, 2003 and 2004) Successful deconstruction/ demolition earthworks completed as planned No time accidents or serious injuries Landform reuse for productive agricultural purposes Results Sustainability measurements following the closing of the mines Social opportunities created with local handholder Local and provincial governments responsibility

10 OUTCOME: POST MINE TRANSFORMATION Mt. Sisa August 1997 Mt. Sisa February 2006

11 BRITANNIA MINE MUSEUM, CANADA Annual Report 2014

12 ANGLOGOLD ASHANTI PROJECT, GHANA Aquaculture project in Homase, Ghana Fish growth schemes integrated with livestock rearing and yearround leafy vegetable farming Project cost: 5 million cedis Main Stakeholders: AngloGold Ashanti and Homase communities Discussion (2003)

13 AMV RECOMMENDATIONS Mineral Resources Policy and Strategy/Four priority areas: i) Increase skilled manpower through training programs ii) Improved governance structures iii) Provide vocational training iv) Improve communication strategy between local and national players Strong Human and institutional capacity development

14 THANK YOU