Ian Cawrse

Planning for mine closure at the Klirou copper-zinc project in Cyprus

The legacy of a mining project is strongly dictated by how well it is closed. A key to sustainable mine closure planning is early and deliberate planning. Uncertainty in planning stages conflicts with the need for early consideration of sustainable outcomes, but this can be overcome by regular and critical reviews of closure plans. Acid rock drainage is often a significant mine closure issue, as is the case with the Klirou copper-zinc project. Case studies show that early and deliberate planning can effectively manage legacy issues such as acid rock drainage. Effective stakeholder engagement in mine closure alternatives is essential for reaching sustainable outcomes. The multiple attribute analysis application developed by the author can be used in transparent interactive stakeholder engagement processes and provides a mechanism for overcoming differences between stakeholders.