The Social Aspects of Mine Closure Research Consortium was a multi-party, industry-university research collaboration. The consortium was established in 2019 to conduct research that challenged accepted industry norms and practices, and demanded new approaches that placed people at the centre of mine closure. The consortium was an initiative of The University of Queensland’s Centre for Social Responsibility in Mining (CSRM).
This project website and associated eLibrary were early consortium initiatives.
The work sat under the Sustainable Minerals Institute’s Transforming the Mine Life Cycle strategic research program as one of three research themes (transitioning through closure).
Conducting a human rights impact assessment of ASM communities in Burkina Faso (EU-funded project). Photo used with permission from L. Lawson.
Engaging with women gemstone miners in Ilakaka, Madagascar’s sapphire hub (GIZ-DFAT-funded project). Photo used with permission from L. Lawson.
Through the consortium-funded research we aimed to:
- better understand how the social dimensions of mine closure are being considered, understood and managed by the industry and its partners
- identify strategies for improving post-mining features for the communities in which mining takes place
- drive the integration of social dimensions into mine lifecycle transformation in the transition towards closure and beyond.
This project website and associated eLibrary are early consortium initiatives.
At the launch of the Social Aspects of Mine Closure Research Consortium: Scheherazade Walter (Rio Tinto), SMI Director Professor Neville Plint and SMI Program Leader Transforming the Mine Life Cycle Professor Anna Littleboy.