162 assurance through the life of mine and beyond to governments and communities and, increasingly, civil society. Although the mining sector has a strong track record in opening and operating mines, there is limited evidence of closed and transitioned mines achieving a positive legacy or directly supporting beneficial productive post-mine use. This is a key frontier for the sector and one that depends on collaboration between governments, Indigenous peoples, regional communities industry, investors, civil society and innovators to solve. KEYWORDS World Mining Congress, Mine Closure, Positive Legacy, Policy and Regulation, Australia, Research, Post Mine Land Use, Finance, Shared Governance INTRODUCTION One of the most important lessons from the development of Australia’s mineral resources is the need to plan and act across a mine’s life for what happens after mining ends. Mining is a key Australian industry, a significant source of national, state and territory income, a driver of national and regional business investment and broader economic activity. It is also often the economic backbone of mining regions, a major source of local infrastructure and a significant employer, source of local skills and capability development and key contracting partner. Mining can play a central role as the anchor for broader industrial ecosystems, particular in regions with significant manufacturing, technology and agricultural bases. It may also form part of a region’s wider self-identity. Yet, while many mines extend over generations, all mines are based on finite resources and will eventually come to the end of operational life. Even planned or expected closures create significant social and economic headwinds. Changes over a mine’s life – such as the shift from construction to operations and impacts of commodity price fluctuations – can also cause significant flow-on effects. And, while important progress has been made in addressing environmental risks and impacts from mining, major challenges remain. The scale of new minerals development required to achieve global decarbonization reinforces the need for new and better solutions to sustainably manage mine wastes, pit lakes and other legacy environmental challenges, as well as the opportunity inherent in a beneficial and productive post-mining outcome for future mine sites. In addition, industry is working to meet increased environmental, social and governance (ESG) expectations. Indigenous and regional communities have greater influence on how operations occur, and investors, customers and financiers are sharpening focus on ESG performance and ongoing shared governance. As the world is poised at the start of a surge in demand for critical minerals, ‘Beginning with the end in mind’ – that is, focusing on accruing long-term positive outcomes for people, communities, nature, mining and mining equipment, technology and services sector, and for broader industrial development – provides a critical frame for the sector.
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MTM0Mzk2