1660 PLANNING FOR WHAT COMES NEXT: INTEGRATING RISK ANALYSIS INTO POSTMINING LAND USE DECISIONS *T. Salazar1, P. Santiago1 1 Earth and Environment Sector, WSP Peru, (*Presenting author: tatiana.salazar@wsp.com) ABSTRACT Mine closure planning faces the challenge of evolving from compliance-focused approaches toward models that effectively integrate risk management, early definition of future land uses, and long-term environmental and social value creation. In this context, human health and environmental risk assessment emerges as a key tool for the implementation of integrated mine closure and for guiding design decisions beyond the operational phase. International organizations promoting good mining practices emphasize that closure and post-closure performance largely depends on decisions taken early in the project life cycle, including the definition of post-mining land use. However, in several regulatory contexts, such as Peru, systematic risk assessment associated with future land use scenarios is not yet an explicit requirement within closure plans. This gap may result in sites that are technically closed but not enabled for safe, productive, and socially accepted post-mining uses. This paper proposes a methodological framework to integrate human health and ecological risk assessment into mine closure planning through a prospective approach applied across three differentiated stages: closure, post-closure and future use. The methodology is structured into four phases –problem formulation, contamination characterization, toxicity and exposure assessment, and risk characterization– and enables the differentiated identification of contaminants of concern, relevant receptors, and dominant exposure pathways at each stage. The central role of community participation in validating future land use and exposure assumptions is highlighted, especially in high-Andean contexts characterized by traditional agricultural practices and strong territorial dependence. Results indicate that integrating risk assessment into closure planning may reduce technical and social uncertainty, strengthening the legitimacy of closure, and supporting the transition towards safe, functional post-mining landscapes aligned with the principles of just transition and territorial revitalization. KEYWORDS Mine closure; Post-mining land use; Human health risk assessment; Ecological risk assessment; Risk-based approach; Community participation; Post-mining revitalization 1. INTRODUCTION The global mining industry is at a defining point, where operations are increasingly expected to move beyond regulatory compliance and become catalysts for environmental and social transformation. In this context, mine closure plays a central role, as it requires forward-looking planning approaches that integrate environmental protection, community aspirations, and the definition of future land uses. The integrated closure vision promoted by the International Council on Mining and Metals (ICMM) has become an international benchmark in this field. The most recent update of the Integrated Mine Closure: Good Practice Guide (ICMM, 2025) emphasizes the need to incorporate early definition of post-mining land uses and to establish verifiable closure success criteria. These guidelines highlight that mine closure is an iterative process that begins early in the project life cycle and that post-closure performance largely depends on design decisions made well before operations commence.
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