It was a privilege to be invited by Mr Avhurengwi Nengovhela to speak at Coaltech’s Mine Closure Conference on 4 April 2025. Mine closure has become even more critical within the context of South Africa’s current economy, the impact on the mining sector and its various stakeholders.
The mine closure landscape has changed so fundamentally in the last few years, that a new approach is needed to ensure that all relevant aspects are addressed timeously, and in a sustainable way that balances all the competing interests. It is no longer about simply closing the hole in the ground and rehabilitating the workings. If a holistic, multi-disciplinary approach is not adopted in relation to mine closure, there is a strong possibility that mine closure will not be successful or sustainable in the long term. Communities have grown significantly around working mines, and the expectations from these communities do not simply go away, when a mine is closing, or post mine-closure. For so long as there are any minerals left in the ground, there will be an inclination to extract these minerals despite attempts to close a mine in such a way that access is prevented. It is far better to acknowledge that communities are key stakeholders with potential interests in the infrastructure and the minerals that remain. The various challenges around mine closure require perspective. Perspective can only be gained through a multi-disciplinary team which includes mine closure (operations), finance, human resources, survey, community relations, security, and other stakeholders such as municipalities and other governmental structures. As with most things, communication is important, and developing a mine closure communication strategy can avoid many of the pitfalls relating to mine closure.
Coaltech’s conference focused on all of these aspects and the key talking points will no doubt form the basis of ongoing discussions whether at mine, company or provincial level. What is clear is that ongoing communication amongst stakeholders is vital – many of the challenges are not unique and can be addressed through information sharing and co-operation.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. For tailored guidance, please consult one of our legal professionals.