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sure wherever we can on site. Whenever there is a change in the mine plan, there is a conversation that happens between the closure specialists and the mining company to optimize how that occurs so that we are not making decisions throughout the life of the mine that make it difficult to close. This is a real shift in thinking. We still see miners who are trying to wrap their head around this because they are in the business to mine, they are not in the business historically to close it. It is a shift in thinking that you need to get the technical stuff right in terms of the stability, analysis, et cetera, but it is equally important that you are not designing something that cannot be closed or creating challenges later that will be expensive and less desirable environmentally and socially.
Geomembrane pool filled with rainwater at the bottom of an open mine pit.
using our inhouse software has been when we are working on a project, and we want it to show us a certain piece of information that currently is not available. You just reach out to your colleague who developed the software and ask them to add it in. It might take a couple of weeks or months before that is added in and checked, but at the end you have a customized software that does exactly what you want it to do.
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Q: In terms of ongoing monitoring during closure, is most of it remote using sensors as opposed to having people on site?
View over the now closed Argyle Diamond mine in the East Kimberley region of Western Australia.
Q: In terms of in terms of technology, do you use a lot of in-house proprietary software and solutions or is it a combination of in-house and commercial solutions? A: We do a lot of modeling, and your model is only as good as the information that goes into it. It takes a really experienced individual to be able to understand the implications and how the model is representing them. We use a variety of software, whatever is going to be the best tool to get the job done. For example, I do a lot of landform design for closure, and we have a variety of tools to do that. We use both in house software as well as external software and it depends on the job. When we need modeling to understand the potential performance of landform designs, we have three or four different tools that we use depending on the type of design we are implementing, whether it is macro scale, landform design, or there are micro topographic changes in in the landform as well. We have developed some proprietary software that allows us to do very quick regrading. It is important to be flexible and use the right tool rather than get bogged down and stuck in in your ways with one tool in my perspective. The benefit of
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A: We still use a combination, but there is a lot that can be done remotely. At least for a small period, some water treatment is needed so you need people on site. Some monitoring is done better with people on the ground. Some remote technology is better to get the big picture, like satellites, LIDAR, or drones.
Q: How important is community engagement when closing a mine? A: That is a big issue and rightfully so. If I had a mine in my backyard, that would be my big question. What will I be able to use that land for afterwards? What is it capable of? Closure can be an unpopular word, and site transition perhaps speaks more to what we are working towards. Our target is not to have a closed mine site. Our target is to have a functional and high capability post mining landscape. That site transition is what we are really working towards, and that we cannot do that without stakeholder and local community engagement. It is essential at every stage, and it is the right thing to do. We see it in the urban realm all the time. If there is a new building being constructed within a few blocks of you, or a new park, you receive notification. You can get a lot of creative ideas that are site specific from consultation. It is in everybody’s best interest. I think as an industry we are increasingly valuing it much more and realizing that it is good for everybody involved. There is so much opportunity if we get the right people around the table. For all the unfortunate stories we have had in the past, there really is so much potential and opportunity for positive outcomes. Catherine Hercus is a freelance technical writer.
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