Mine sites that are closed temporarily are often referred to as being in ‘care and maintenance’ (... more Mine sites that are closed temporarily are often referred to as being in ‘care and maintenance’ (C&M). Mines may go into C&M because of changes to commodity prices, unsafe work conditions, environmental issues or as a way of avoiding mine rehabilitation. Despite modern mine closure policy, changes in community and corporate expectations on mine closure and an ever-growing body of research on technical aspects of mine closure, there is still a disproportionate number of un-remediated mine sites across Australia. The ability to place mines in C&M is just one policy problem that contributes to the absence of closed mine sites. There is an expectation that these sites are being managed and mining will recommence. However, mines may stay in C&M for extended periods, drawing down on companies’ financial resources and putting the company’s ability to recommence or rehabilitate in jeopardy. It is not clear that the policy framework for C&M are fit for purpose. This study examines contempora...
The political and social climate in the Philippines which exploits the desperation of the people,... more The political and social climate in the Philippines which exploits the desperation of the people, is discussed. Marinduque, which due to foreign investments and rampant mining, and Tampakan with its politically motivated tensions are but two examples of hundreds of small and large-scale mining operations, that had led the common people to lead a life of desperation.
The Australian mining industries approach to life-of-mine planning has improved considerably in r... more The Australian mining industries approach to life-of-mine planning has improved considerably in recent decades. It now needs to be matched by, and embedded in, mining governance systems that utilise a comprehensive whole-of-mine-life approach within a jurisdictional, industry and regional regime rather than just focusing on specific impacts in isolation. The need for a more comprehensive approach is supported by the many mining legacies, from historic, recent and some operating mine sites around Australia. Sites that are leaving enduring environmental, community and public health impacts that are yet to be accurately assessed. While number of these sites in Australia is estimated to be more than 50,000, this is probably an underestimation, with a lack of data and different state based approaches complicating attempts to quantify mining legacies as a national issue. Qualitative assessments about the extent and nature of mining legacy impacts on nature and communities across Australia are also required if we are to understand and avoid ongoing and future mining legacies.
The paper commences with an exploration of mining legacies as an umbrella term for previously mined, abandoned, orphan, derelict or neglected sites. This is followed by a discussion of the current status of mining legacies as an Australia wide issue, contrasting the Australian response with overseas examples. Common themes from past workshops are explored recognising that mining legacies are a growing public policy issue and identifying key ingredients for a successful response. Supporting this, and based on national data which re-enforces the need for action, is the changing scale and intensity of mining in Australia that, while lowering costs for mine operators, increases the liability that may eventually fall to the state if mine-sites are not rehabilitated effectively. Though a national issue, mining is a state and territory responsibility, so the current approach to mining legacies is then examined state-by-state. Given the widespread application and recent changes to bonds and levies in Western Australia (WA) and the Northern territory (NT) the merits of both are examined with reference to specific case studies. Despite the current division of responsibility and diversity of approaches, however, mining legacies remain a significant and growing problem with a recognised need and repeated call for cooperation and coordination at a national and international level. Future action is addressed in the final section with reference to liability, responsibility, industry reputation, regulation and leadership.
Mine sites that are closed temporarily are often referred to as being in ‘care and maintenance’ (... more Mine sites that are closed temporarily are often referred to as being in ‘care and maintenance’ (C&M). Mines may go into C&M because of changes to commodity prices, unsafe work conditions, environmental issues or as a way of avoiding mine rehabilitation. Despite modern mine closure policy, changes in community and corporate expectations on mine closure and an ever-growing body of research on technical aspects of mine closure, there is still a disproportionate number of un-remediated mine sites across Australia. The ability to place mines in C&M is just one policy problem that contributes to the absence of closed mine sites. There is an expectation that these sites are being managed and mining will recommence. However, mines may stay in C&M for extended periods, drawing down on companies’ financial resources and putting the company’s ability to recommence or rehabilitate in jeopardy. It is not clear that the policy framework for C&M are fit for purpose. This study examines contempora...
The political and social climate in the Philippines which exploits the desperation of the people,... more The political and social climate in the Philippines which exploits the desperation of the people, is discussed. Marinduque, which due to foreign investments and rampant mining, and Tampakan with its politically motivated tensions are but two examples of hundreds of small and large-scale mining operations, that had led the common people to lead a life of desperation.
The Australian mining industries approach to life-of-mine planning has improved considerably in r... more The Australian mining industries approach to life-of-mine planning has improved considerably in recent decades. It now needs to be matched by, and embedded in, mining governance systems that utilise a comprehensive whole-of-mine-life approach within a jurisdictional, industry and regional regime rather than just focusing on specific impacts in isolation. The need for a more comprehensive approach is supported by the many mining legacies, from historic, recent and some operating mine sites around Australia. Sites that are leaving enduring environmental, community and public health impacts that are yet to be accurately assessed. While number of these sites in Australia is estimated to be more than 50,000, this is probably an underestimation, with a lack of data and different state based approaches complicating attempts to quantify mining legacies as a national issue. Qualitative assessments about the extent and nature of mining legacy impacts on nature and communities across Australia are also required if we are to understand and avoid ongoing and future mining legacies.
The paper commences with an exploration of mining legacies as an umbrella term for previously mined, abandoned, orphan, derelict or neglected sites. This is followed by a discussion of the current status of mining legacies as an Australia wide issue, contrasting the Australian response with overseas examples. Common themes from past workshops are explored recognising that mining legacies are a growing public policy issue and identifying key ingredients for a successful response. Supporting this, and based on national data which re-enforces the need for action, is the changing scale and intensity of mining in Australia that, while lowering costs for mine operators, increases the liability that may eventually fall to the state if mine-sites are not rehabilitated effectively. Though a national issue, mining is a state and territory responsibility, so the current approach to mining legacies is then examined state-by-state. Given the widespread application and recent changes to bonds and levies in Western Australia (WA) and the Northern territory (NT) the merits of both are examined with reference to specific case studies. Despite the current division of responsibility and diversity of approaches, however, mining legacies remain a significant and growing problem with a recognised need and repeated call for cooperation and coordination at a national and international level. Future action is addressed in the final section with reference to liability, responsibility, industry reputation, regulation and leadership.
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Papers by Mia Pepper
The paper commences with an exploration of mining legacies as an umbrella term for previously mined, abandoned, orphan, derelict or neglected sites. This is followed by a discussion of the current status of mining legacies as an Australia wide issue, contrasting the Australian response with overseas examples. Common themes from past workshops are explored recognising that mining legacies are a growing public policy issue and identifying key ingredients for a successful response. Supporting this, and based on national data which re-enforces the need for action, is the changing scale and intensity of mining in Australia that, while lowering costs for mine operators, increases the liability that may eventually fall to the state if mine-sites are not rehabilitated effectively. Though a national issue, mining is a state and territory responsibility, so the current approach to mining legacies is then examined state-by-state. Given the widespread application and recent changes to bonds and levies in Western Australia (WA) and the Northern territory (NT) the merits of both are examined with reference to specific case studies. Despite the current division of responsibility and diversity of approaches, however, mining legacies remain a significant and growing problem with a recognised need and repeated call for cooperation and coordination at a national and international level. Future action is addressed in the final section with reference to liability, responsibility, industry reputation, regulation and leadership.
The paper commences with an exploration of mining legacies as an umbrella term for previously mined, abandoned, orphan, derelict or neglected sites. This is followed by a discussion of the current status of mining legacies as an Australia wide issue, contrasting the Australian response with overseas examples. Common themes from past workshops are explored recognising that mining legacies are a growing public policy issue and identifying key ingredients for a successful response. Supporting this, and based on national data which re-enforces the need for action, is the changing scale and intensity of mining in Australia that, while lowering costs for mine operators, increases the liability that may eventually fall to the state if mine-sites are not rehabilitated effectively. Though a national issue, mining is a state and territory responsibility, so the current approach to mining legacies is then examined state-by-state. Given the widespread application and recent changes to bonds and levies in Western Australia (WA) and the Northern territory (NT) the merits of both are examined with reference to specific case studies. Despite the current division of responsibility and diversity of approaches, however, mining legacies remain a significant and growing problem with a recognised need and repeated call for cooperation and coordination at a national and international level. Future action is addressed in the final section with reference to liability, responsibility, industry reputation, regulation and leadership.