Mine closure toolbox: Examples version 3

Anglo American’s (AA) burning ambition is to be the most valued mining company in the world by 2023. The purpose of AA is to reimagine mining to improve people’s lives.

Mining plays a significant role in human and economic development and, without the mining sector, society would not enjoy a large number of the benefits that it does today. The mining industry’s rich history also carries some important lessons and one of these is the poor closure or abandonment of mines by the industry worldwide. If AA is to achieve its burning ambition and purpose, the closure team must deliver value through integrated, risk and opportunities based closure planning and execution, to establish safe, stable and non-polluting post-mining landscapes that leave a positive and sustainable legacy for stakeholders.

The updated Mine Closure Toolbox (MCT) (v3) has incorporated the Integrated Closure Planning System (ICPS) that was developed in 2015 and built on the existing toolbox (v2) that was released in 2013. Importantly, a Group wide closure standard was endorsed in June 2018 and this updated version of the MCT provides the guidance for AA operations to achieve the requirements outlined in the standard. The updated version of the MCT increases the emphasis on the importance of designing, planning, operating and executing closure at AA operations, with a focus on integration with Life of Asset Planning (LoAP). The updated MCT is targeted at people in our operations across a range of disciplines, the tools provide practical support as to how to achieve the desired integrated outcomes for AA. It is also important that a preferred future for the mine footprint post-production is developed in partnership with communities. The tool reinforces our desire for improved community relationships and engagement.

Some of the more immediate benefits from our updated MCT are increased integration with LoAP, potential lower closure liabilities, lower rehabilitation costs, more effective social investment and engagement, and enhanced value to AA and its stakeholders.

To download the document, click on the green 'view resource' button which will take you to the AA Environment web page. Scroll down the environment content until you reach Mine Closure Toolbox.