What is ISO 21795‑1 - Mine closure about?
ISO 21795‑1 on mine closure and mine reclamation planning is the first part of the multi-series ISO 21795 standard.
ISO 21795‑1 specifies a framework and the mine closure and reclamation planning processes for new and operating mines. Requirements and recommendations are provided on:
- Mine closure and reclamation plan objectives and commitments
- Technical procedures and techniques
- Mitigation of socio-economic impacts
- Financial assurance and associated planning
- Mine closure and reclamation planning for unplanned closure
- Post-closure management plan
- Mine closure and reclamation plan documentation.
NOTE 1: The following aspects of mine closure and reclamation are not addressed in ISO 21795‑1:
- Infrastructure such as rail lines, ports, off-site ore loaders, power stations, etc. That is associated with the mine operation, but which are not located at the mine site
- Detailed survey, testing or monitoring methods, detailed engineering procedures, detailed product requirements, or detailed construction and operational procedures; occupational health and safety management related to closure and reclamation, construction and exploration activities
- Relinquishment of a closed and reclaimed mine site, or portions thereof, to a party (governmental or private entity) not related to the mine operator
- Specific requirements for dealing with the radiological aspects of mine closure and reclamation, such as those that occur at uranium mining and processing facilities and other mines at which naturally occurring radioactive materials are present; however, the other aspects associated with closure and reclamation of these mines are included in this document; and
- Closure and reclamation of abandoned mines
Who is ISO 21795‑1 - Mine closure for?
The intended audience for ISO 21795‑1 on mine closure and reclamation planning are:
- National mining authorities/public bodies
- Regulatory bodies
- Geological departments
- Mine designers
- Geoscintists
- Environmental scientists
Why should you use ISO 21795 - Mine closure?
Mine closures refer to the time when the extracting activities of a mine have stopped, and final decommissioning and mine reclamation are being completed.
ISO 21795‑1 provides requirements and recommendations for mine closure and reclamation planning applicable to both new and operating mines. The overarching objective is to promote consistency and quality in planning for mine closure and reclamation internationally.
ISO 21795‑1 helps the user to:
- Reduces risks and liabilities throughout the mine’s operational life and on closure
- Allows for stakeholder involvement throughout, so that relevant knowledge and understanding are brought into the planning process
- Allows for devoting more attention to sustainable development activities identifying socio-economic opportunities for the various closure phases
- Helps build trust with governments, stakeholders, and international communities;
- Provides additional planning time to understand the complexity of the biophysical characteristics and socio-economic context of each mine site
- Provides for continual improvement and updating of closure and reclamation plans
- Allows companies to better integrate closure and reclamation activities with operations
- Provides time to identify, research and develop new technologies for mine closure strategies and mine closure treatments that increase robustness and resilience of mine closure and reclamation
- Allows companies to better provision for and schedule closure and reclamation funding
With ISO 21795‑1, you can get adequate information about reclamation planning which helps you to identify, assess and mitigate the environmental, health, safety, and economic challenges.
