Mine Closure Planning
With current mining activity on Groote and Winchelsea Island planned to conclude around 2032-33, there is increased urgency for closure planning to be undertaken and as part of this considerable community consultation is required to assess the wishes of the local people and decisions on what land uses will be permitted in mined out areas and what infrastructure they wish to be retained to support the post mining economy.
A critical component of mine environmental planning is mine closure, planning for closure of the mine should ideally start before mining commences. In the past the focus on Groote has been primarily on risk management and the environment however, in the last decade or so,
socio-economic factors have come to the fore. Particularly the impacts on communities post-mining.
The Impacts and risks need to be considered and planned for in terms of International Best Practice and sustainable development principles. Working together with the Proponent and Key Stakeholders, the ultimate outcome will be a highly informed Mine Closure Plan that dictates agreed rehabilitation competition criteria, sustainable future development, including the future of Alyangula and the return of balanced ecosystems.