Mine Closure and Reclamation - Practical Examples of Options and Issues

This paper discusses a number of successful case histories of mine reclamation. It aims to highlight some of the issues for planning and implementation of mine closure. The paper covers pit backfilling, rapid flooding to form a pit lake, closure as an in-pit wetland, and dry closure using free-drainage by gravity. The paper also discusses chemical dosing of in-pit waters, the implications of pit slope instability on closure programs, and how to minimize the potential for acid generation and achieve acceptable post-mining water quality. A number of recent case studies are used to illustrate the wide-ranging closure issues.