Integrated Mine Closure
Intake commences 10 March 2025
40 PD hours
100% online
AusIMM courses rated 4.9/5 (4.5k+ reviews)
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Course Overview
- Deep dive into the key components of this important process and recognise the compelling business case for Integrated Mine Closure (IMC) that can realise significant value to operations.
- Explore the role of environmental and socio-economic knowledge base and the importance of a shared closure vision;
- Discover the criticality of social transition and leaving a positive legacy to successful IMC;
- Learn the importance of closure integration into Life of Mine planning and multi-disciplinary ownership of IMC.
Who is this for?
Specialists in disciplines that have a role to play in Integrated Mine Closure such as:
- Mine planners,
- Mining engineers,
- Mine closure practitioners,
- Technical services,
- Finance,
- Legal,
- Social,
- Safety/health,
- Human resources and
- Environmental.
Mine Closure Practitioners that would like to refresh or improve their knowledge and skills in this area
Mid-level managers (Coordinators and Superintendents)
Our curriculum is designed to enhance understanding and skills in integrated mine closure planning, so participants can execute effective strategies for mine rehabilitation, and ensure sustainable outcomes for both the environment and local communities.
 Duration |
 Delivery |
 Course Type |
 2025 Intakes |
 PD Hours |
 Language |
40 hours
|
100% online |
Professional
|
10 March
|
Up to 40 |
English |
Course Modules
Module 1
Introduction to Integrated Mine Closure
- Business case and challenges
- Knowledge base (environmental and socio-economic)
- Internal and external requirements
- Closure vision, land-uses and objectives
Participants will be able to apply their knowledge of integrated mine closure to create effective and sustainable plans that mitigate environmental and social impacts and optimise economic benefits. This includes explaining the compelling business case and challenges to IMC, and identifying internal and external stakeholder requirements
and communicating effectively throughout the process. They will also recognise the
importance of the environmental and socioeconomic knowledge base to establish a
baseline for IMC planning, and the crucial role that stakeholder ownership of the closure vision and associated land-uses plays.
Module 2
Social Transition
- Identifying stakeholders
- Stakeholder engagement plan
- Social Investment and positive legacy
- Governance
Participants will understand the criticality of social transition to successful IMC and the
importance of stakeholders being engaged early with clear communication of the level of influence through appropriate forums. This includes leaving a positive legacy through the development of enduring non-mining related enterprises to support communities post-closure. They will also recognise that governance related to closure occurs throughout the LoM and at different levels, with a particular focus on closure costs and regular independent review.
Module 3
Integrated Planning
• Life of mine plans
• Maturity assessment across the LoM
• Domain based closure activities
• Design criteria
Participants will recognise the importance of closure integration into LoM planning
and multi-disciplinary ownership of IMC. This includes explaining the importance of increasing maturity of closure activities throughout the LoM and identification of
actions to iteratively address gaps. They will also describe domain based closure
activities related to mine voids, waste and infrastructure, and the importance of design
criteria and the impact of climate change on IMC.
Module 4
Risk/Opportunity and Closure Planning
• Closure risk assessment
• Opportunities analysis
• Closure liability and cost estimates
• Integrated closure plan
Participants will identify and assess closure risks, while identifying actions to address unacceptable residual risks after closure activities have been implemented. This includes recognising the opportunities presented through comprehensive risk analysis and IMC, and the importance of their analysis and realisation to create value. They
will also be able to explain the different types of closure costs and their purpose, as well as the key components of an Integrated Closure Plan.
Module 5
Execution
• ICP to PFS/FS
• Progressive rehabilitation/trials
• Execution plan
• Demolition and decommissioning
Participants will recognise that the execution of closure plans requires the same project management rigour as original mine development and involves increasing levels of detail across the final ten years of operations. This includes identifying infrastructure sale or demolition activities, and understanding the importance of progressive rehabilitation and closure activities throughout the LoM to optimise closure costs and decrease risk. They will also explain how the continuous
improvement of the integrated closure plan throughout the LoM is dependent on the
identification and implementation of actions that must be resourced and tracked.
Module 6
Success Criteria, Monitoring & Relinquishment
• Success criteria
• Maintenance and management
• Reporting and technology platforms
• Relinquishment or alternative
Participants will explain SMART success criteria and associated monitoring
programs, and their importance in driving relinquishment. This includes the
identification of appropriate maintenance and management activities for areas that do not meet defined success criteria. They will also recognise the importance of reporting and technology platforms to engage internal and external stakeholders, as well as explaining alternatives to relinquishment as an outcome of the IMC process.
Course Pricing
- Exclusive discounts
- Access to digital library
- Networking opportunities
- Professional development
- Industry insights
- Exclusive discounts
- Access to digital library
- Networking opportunities
- Professional development
- Industry insights
- Exclusive discounts
- Access to digital library
- Networking opportunities
- Professional development
- Industry insights
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Professional Certificate in Integrated Mine Closure
Learning Objectives
- Understand the business case, challenges, and key components of Integrated Mine Closure (IMC), including starting with the end in mind.
- Recognise the importance of the environmental and socio-economic knowledge base to establish a baseline for integrated mine closure planning.
- Explain the criticality of social transition to successful integrated mine closure and the importance of leaving a positive legacy through the development of enduring non-mining related enterprises to support communities’ post-closure.
- Recognise the importance of closure integration into Life of Mine (LoM) planning and multi-disciplinary ownership of integrated mine closure.
- Describe domain-based closure activities related to mine voids, waste and infrastructure, and the importance of design criteria and the impact of climate change on mine closure.
- Identify and assess closure risks, opportunities and the importance of their analysis and realisation to reduce risk and realise value.
- Explain the different types of mine closure costs and their purpose, as well as the key components of an Integrated Mine Closure Plan.
- Recognise that the execution of mine closure plans requires the same project management rigour as the original mine development.
- Explain SMART success criteria and associated monitoring programs to drive relinquishment or alternatives, including the identification of appropriate maintenance and management activities for areas that do not meet defined success criteria.
- Assess a mine closure plan using a Maturity Framework.
Course Structure
The practical and outcomes-focused eight-week course consists of six modules over six weeks, with a final two weeks to complete the assessment. This course is ideal for those looking to deepen their understanding of mine closure and mine planning courses. The course consists of:
- Live virtual classrooms (with recordings made available within 24 hours)
- Pre-recorded videos, featuring interviews with experienced industry experts who share their expertise on mine closure and rehabilitation, among other critical topics.
- Interactive learning activities and discussions that foster a deeper understanding of mine rehabilitation processes and strategies.
- Multiple-choice questions that help consolidate learning and ensure participants are well-prepared for the final assessment.
- Additional reading materials, including case studies, that offer real-world insights into mining closure practices and the challenges involved.
The final Integrated Mine Closure assessment will require participants to critically assess a closure plan.
Course Schedule
| Course dates |
Virtual classrooms |
Assessment |
|
Course commences: 10 March 2025 Course closes: 4 May 2025 |
Module 1: Wednesday 12 March, 11.00–12.00 AEDT Module 2: Wednesday 19 March, 11.00–12.00 AEDT Module 3: Wednesday 26 March, 10.00–11.00 AEDT Module 4: Wednesday 2 April, 10.00–11.00 AEDT Module 5: Wednesday 9 April, 10.00–11.00 AEST Module 6: Wednesday 16 April, 13.00–14.00 AEST |
Due date: 4 May 2025 |
|
Note: The virtual classrooms listed above are the only scheduled activities for this course but they are not the only activities. All other course work (eg videos, readings, final assessment, etc) can be completed at your own pace on the learning platform within the course duration. All activities must be completed before the course close date. The virtual classrooms will be recorded and made available within 24 hours for those participants unable to attend the scheduled sessions. |
||
Course Facilitators
All programs have been developed in consultation with leading organisations in the mining industry, subject matter experts and community leaders to ensure you gain the latest knowledge and develop relevant skills to accelerate your career.
Dr Carl Grant
Carl has 25 years experience in the mining industry globally, with a focus on mine closure and rehabilitation. Following his undergraduate science degree at UWA, he completed an Honours thesis on seed ecology and his Doctorate on fire ecology both in Alcoa’s rehabilitated bauxite mines in Western Australia. He then took up an academic position at the University of New England in NSW where he developed one of the first focused units on ecosystem rehabilitation, supervised more than 50 students and published more than 60 refereed papers.
In 2001, he took up a position in Alcoa’s research department and made the switch to operational mining roles in 2004. He was Environment and Community Manager for Alcoa’s mining operations in WA for five years. Carl then moved to Anglo American’s Met Coal operations in 2011 to the position of Regional Environment Manager responsible for nine operating sites and nine projects in Qld, NSW and British Columbia (Canada).
In July 2014, he took up a global position with Anglo as Global Head of Mine Closure Planning working at all 60 of their then operations around the world. Carl left Anglo in early 2022 and became a Director and Principal Closure/Rehabilitation of Unearthed Environmental Services Pty Ltd. Clients already include Anglo American, BHP, Glencore, ERA (Rio Tinto), ICMM, AusIMM, Newmont, Newcrest, South32, Fauna and Flora International, and the Queensland Government.
Todd Bell
Dr Sheridan Coakes
Sherie currently holds the position of National Social Practice Lead with Umwelt Australia where she leads a national group of 20 social practitioners and is also a member of Umwelt’s Executive Management Team. She is a Convenor of the SIA Community of Practice for the Environmental Institute of Australia and New Zealand (EIANZ), has led the SIA Strategic Environmental Advisory Committee, charged with developing a specialist certification for SIA in Australia and New Zealand, the first of its kind globally, and is a member of the Certified Environmental Practitioners (CEnvP) Certification Board. In May 2021, Sherie was appointed as a Commissioner to the NSW Independent Planning Commission, responsible for making decisions on large and contentious project development applications across NSW.
Kim Ferguson
Dr Cherie McCullough
She has published over 100 peer-reviewed scientific journal and conference proceeding papers, book chapters, and leading practice industry guidelines, a book and international industry articles and conference presentations on pit lakes, mine closure, aquatic ecology and ecotoxicology. Cherie has helped develop guidance for mine closure, pit lakes and mine water impacts for Western Australia, South Australia, the Commonwealth of Australia, Papua New Guinea, Canada and the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC).
Mike O'Kane
Jonathan Sanders
Dr Neeltje Slingerland
Neeltje has taught full-length courses, short courses, and workshops at universities, conferences, and for professional societies across North and South America. Neeltje is a geoscientist, a registered landscape architect, and has a PhD in geo-environmental engineering.
Dr Bjorn Weeks
His academic background includes a B.Sc. in Civil Engineering, a M.Sc. in Environmental Engineering, and a Ph. D from the Norman B. Keevil School of mining at the University of British Columbia.
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Intake commences 10 March 2025
AusIMM courses rated 4.9/5 (4.5k+ reviews)
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Frequently asked questions
What are the technical requirements to participate in the course? i.e. do I need a webcam, microphone, etc?
The course will be run entirely online via a cloud-based platform which can be accessed via computer, tablet or phone. Participants will simply need to have a working Internet connection and a computer, tablet or phone with sound to access the course. Please note that some course videos and the virtual classroom recordings are hosted on Vimeo. Participants in regions where Vimeo is blocked may need to use a VPN to access these materials.
How long will the online course take?
The entire course will run over eight weeks (six modules over six weeks plus another two weeks to finish all course components). It is expected that participants will take about 40 hours to finish the entire course. This includes attendance at live virtual classrooms and completion of all learning activities.
Must a participant complete and pass all modules in order to finish the course?
Yes, it is a requirement for participants to complete all modules and pass all learning activities, including the final assessment. A professional certificate will be awarded upon successful completion.
How often will the courses be run?
We aim to run two to three intakes each year.
Can a participant sign up for only one or two modules of the course?
Unfortunately no, participants must complete the course in its entirety.
Will the course be delivered in other languages?
No, the course is currently delivered in English only. We are looking at delivering the course in other languages in the near future.
How many PD hours do I receive for undertaking the course?
Participants can earn professional development (PD) hours for undertaking the online course. One contact hour of technical content is equivalent to one PD hour.
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Your quick reference tool for mine closure preparation
This quick-reference tool considers some of the objectives highlighted in module 5 in IMC, which is a component of the overall Integrated Mine Closure process covered in the Professional Certificate curriculum.
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AusIMM courses rated 4.9/5 (4.5k+ reviews)