Mine DECOMMISSIONING &…

Mine DECOMMISSIONING & DEVELOPING POST CLOSURE GOAL PLANNING with First Nation Communities involvement .

Decommisioning  and  post  closure - GOAL planning. 

Victor Mine , 

Community of Attawapiskat 

    As  a MINE operation  approaches  the  end  of  its  life,  there  needs  to  be  a  clear  transition from  an  operational  phase  to  the  closure  and  decommissioning  and,  ultimately,  the post  closure  phase.  

This  transition  largely  consists  of  the  following: • Engineering  works  to  decommission  and  dismantle  infrastructure,  complete rehabilitation,  grade  landforms  for  effective  drainage,  cap  and  cover  tailings facilities,  implement  post  closure  monitoring  networks,  etc.; • Administrative  works  relating  to  the  transfer  of  assets,  labor  force demobilization,  relinquishment  agreements  and  other  government  and  NGO agreements;  and • Due  diligence  monitoring  and  reporting  on  the  post-decommissioning  status  of environmental  and  social  aspects  of  the  site. The  decommissioning  plan  is  predominantly  a  project-driven  plan  similar  to  a construction  plan.  

     IMPORTANT ITEMS TO CONSIDER

IT  is  important  for  the  decommissioning  and  post closure  planning  to  provide  assurance  that  the  closure  goals  have  been  met. Environmental  examples  include  ongoing  topsoil  retention  on  post  closure landforms,  biodiversity,  water  quality  and  dust  management.  ;

Important  Social Community examples ;   include  the  effectiveness  of  small  to  medium-sized  enterprises,  local unemployment  rates,  schooling  and  health  care ; and most importantly a set of goals surrounding the post closure phase of the Mine .
Will the closure of the Mine present new economic opportunities ; or will its closure leave a legacy of negative social and economic impacts .

  Note :   These , " Social Considerations " are often overlooked by a Company closing their Mine .

(Ex.)

 Whereas  the  environmental examples  are  often  reflected  in  statutory  relinquishment  considerations,  the  social examples  are  often  not,  although  they  may  affect  an  organization’s  reputation  as much  as  or  more  than  the  environmental  examples. 

 This  phase  can  be  difficult  for  communities,  as  an  entity ( such as Debeers )   that  has  contributed  to household  earnings  and  other  local  economic  inputs  is  rapidly  removed. 

             CLOSURE TIMETABLE 

                               & 

         SETTING COMMUNITY GOALS

 It  is important  to  increase  the  level  of  engagement  in  the  year  or  two  leading  up to  decommissioning  in  much  the  same  way  as  done  prior  to  construction,  to  help communities  prepare  for  changes  to  their  environment.  

  Transparency  and  full disclosure  are  important  elements  of  this  preparation. 

      WHY THE NEED for a : 

  CLOSURE PLANNING GROUP

  The  closure  planning  group  ( Task Force ) should  have  detailed  input  to  the  decommissioning  and post  closure  planning  processes  to  ensure  that  the  focus  on  environmental  and social  issues  are maintained  during  and  after  the  transition  process  of decommissioning. 

   Failure  to  do  so  can  undermine  the  many  years  of  diligent  work and  closure  planning  that  preceded  this  point. 

      As  with  all  plans,  proof  of  the  effectiveness  of  closure  planning  lies  in  reviewing  the status  of  closure  during  the  post  closure  period. 

    CLOSURE/ POST CLOSURE PHASE

 The  post  closure  phase  can  be  the longest  period  of  time  for  sites  that  cannot  be  simply relinquished. 

 In  fact,  older  sites  can be  in  post  closure  longer  than  they  were  in  operations. 

                 POST CLOSURE 

                        GOALS

 During  this  post closure phase,  it  is  important to develop and later  to  revisit  these post  closure  goals  and  outcomes  . 

Today , there is   a  great  deal  of  learning  available  for  companies  in  undertaking  a detailed  review  of  the  closure  planning  processes  and  outcomes  and  in  identifying the  opportunities  for  improvement  that  could  be  realized  during  the  final closure planning  process. 

   These  lessons  benefit  not  only  the  company  but  also  the  industry by  addressing  a  challenging  issue  that  presents  unique  opportunities  and constraints  at  every  site  and  that  therefore  relies  on  robust  management  systems and  disciplined  processes.

 To achieve the above , and leave the Community in a healthy socio economic position ..for the future ;  a robust and Community engaging Mine Closure / Post Closure Goals Plan must be developed through cooperation of the Mining Co. and the Community .

The earlier in the closure stage , the better .

To insure success in any Mine closing there must be collaboration at all levels .

Does this Mine Closure Plan or Ammendments have a
( in-Community task force ) CLOSURE PLANNING GROUP ?

Does this Mine Closure have POST CLOSURE GOALS ...?

Is you're ' Ministry of Mining representative ' , addressing you're Community public's concerns about post Mine Closure Planning .?

Comment : There does not appear to be a designated Closure Planning Group tasked with assisting in the decommisioning planning or in post  closure - GOAL planning for the Attawapiskat Community .
Will you're Ministry of Mines address this oversight ?