Reclamation and closure cost planning and estimation and the mining life cycle

Abstract

Reclamation planning and closure cost estimation are initially evaluated during the mine permitting and application process and typically revisited in a more comprehensive way a few years prior to the anticipated onset of mine closure. It is more often than not the case that the mine plan and the physical and geochemical requirements for closure and reclamation will change, sometimes significantly, from those initially envisioned at project inception. Periodic updates of the mine reclamation and closure plan are often required to assess the financial liabilities faced by mining companies for closure. The recent completion of closure cost estimates for some Canadian mines highlighted common issues that typically result in the realization of closure estimates that can significantly exceed both posted closure bonds and the liabilities allocated by mining companies to implement their published reclamation and closure plans.