A key component in the successful reopening of the Pend Oreille Mine in 2004 was early consultation, which included preparation for the eventual closure of the mine. Central to this approach was an effort to mitigate the typical boom and bust economic cycle experienced in many mining communities. This paper outlines the development of the community planning group and the keys to the engagement. Several examples of outside affirmation of this 'common sense' approach are discussed and a snapshot of one approach to community empowerment that has proven positive is provided.
Godlewski, D. W. & Brown, M. J. (2010). Community planning and interaction - Pend Oreille Mine case study. In A. B. Fourie, M. Tibbett, & J. Wiertz (Eds.), Proceedings of the Fifth International Conference on Mine Closure. Australian Centre for Geomechanics, Viña del Mar (pp. 181-185).