Abstract

This presentation will provide an overview of the new ISO standard (ISO 21795) Mine Closure and Reclamation Planning that has recently been published. This Standard contains two separate Parts: Part 1 provides key requirements and recommendations while Part 2 provides guidance and supporting information.

The two overarching objectives of the standard are to provide a key international resource that encapsulates best practices and related guidance across the many areas of specialty involved with planning for mine closure and reclamation and to make this available to a wide range of stakeholders, and especially countries with minimal access to best practices and guidance on the topic area.

The intended audience for the Standard is those with responsibility for, or an interest in, planning for mine closure and reclamation. This includes mine planners and designers, mine operators, regulators, environmental assessors, communities, Indigenous Peoples, rights holders, and financial stakeholders, amongst others.

The Working Group that developed the Mine Closure and Reclamation Planning Standard is made up of over 60 subject matter experts representing 13 countries, including a number of developing countries.

The two Parts of ISO 21795 have been prepared to cover the lifecycle of requirements, recommendations, and supporting information that apply to mine closure and reclamation planning, including consideration of mine closure and reclamation objectives, technical procedures, consideration and mitigation of socio-economic impacts, financial planning and assurance, unplanned and post-closure activities, as well as data and knowledge management, amongst others. This paper describes these requirements, recommendations, and supporting information.