Purpose
The purpose of this guideline is to assist the preparation of a Mine Closure Plan (MCP) in accordance with
the Mining Act 1978 (Mining Act) and the Mining Regulations 1981 (Regulations).
Operation
This guideline takes effect from the date that amendments introduced by the Mining Amendment Act 2022
(Amendment Act) become operational.
Objectives
The objective of this guidance document is to clearly identify the Department of Mines, Petroleum and Exploration's (DMPE) expectations of the information required in a MCP to ensure that:
- Mine closure will achieve DMPE Environmental Objectives for rehabilitation and mine closure, namely that mining activities are rehabilitated and closed in a manner to make them physically safe to humans and animals, geotechnically stable, geochemically non-polluting/non-contaminating, and capable of sustaining an agreed post-mining land use, with consideration for cultural values and without unacceptable liability to the State.
- MCPs submitted to DMPE meet the requirements set out in the Mining Act and Regulations.
- MCPs received are of a high quality and provide sufficient detail on relevant factors.
- There is transparency on the rehabilitation and closure expectations of DMPE for the mining industry and community.