Global Mining Leaders Collaborate to Launch Comprehensive Mine Closure Program

In response to the increasingly complex challenges associated with mine closures and the growing societal expectations for ethical and sustainable practices, global mining giant Rio Tinto, in partnership with Curtin University, the University of British Columbia (UBC)/BRIMM, and Ernst & Young (EY), has unveiled a ground-breaking educational initiative: the Mine Closure Program.

The collaborative effort aims to showcase best practices and provide pathways for effective, ethical, sustainable, and socially responsible mine closure. The program brings together a diverse range of perspectives from academia, industry experts, First Nations, and Indigenous communities to address the multifaceted aspects of mine closure.

The Mine Closure Program features four interconnected courses designed to equip learners with a deep understanding of the planning, social, environmental, financial, and technical elements of mine closure. Each course, spanning six weeks, will be delivered online, offering a mix of pre-recorded video content, online modules, and synchronous virtual classes.

Benefits and Learning Outcomes

The Mine Closure Program is tailored to meet the evolving needs of stakeholders involved in mine closure processes. The program aims to empower learners with the following benefits and learning outcomes:

• Comprehensive Understanding: Participants will gain insights into the size, scale, and ramifications of closure challenges associated with mining operations.
• Integrated Approach: The program encourages an integrated, multidisciplinary approach to closure throughout the entire lifecycle of a mine, fostering a holistic understanding of the process.
• Risk Management: Learners will learn to identify, prioritize, and manage closure risks at every stage, from design and planning to operation and closure of mining assets.
• Stakeholder Engagement: The program emphasizes the importance of discerning the rightful claims and interests of pivotal stakeholders and rightsholders in the closure process, promoting responsible engagement.
• Community Legacy: Participants will understand the critical role of early and ongoing community engagement to ensure a sustainable and positive legacy post-closure, aligning with societal expectations.

The Mine Closure Program represents a significant step towards fostering responsible mining practices globally. By uniting key players from academia, industry, and Indigenous communities, the initiative aims to create a cadre of professionals equipped with the skills and knowledge necessary for navigating the complex landscape of mine closure in the 21st century.

For more information:

https://courses.cpe.ubc.ca/browse/ubcv/faculty-of-applied-science/brimm/programs/mine-closure

Duration: 6 weeks

Time commitment per offering: 30-40 hours

Timing: 2024