Rehabilitation Objectives and Measures

One of the leading documents published on the topic of mine closure and rehabilitation is the Ontario Ministry of Northern Development and Mines' report entitled Rehabilitation of Mines, Guidelines for Proponents, published in 1995. The content provided in this section is based on information in Appendix B of that report and is intended to serve as a series of guidelines or checklists for mine closure.

Mining projects are typically divided into components or facilities during closure and rehabilitation planning. These components are typically things such as open pits, tailings facilities, underground features, rock piles etc. A series of rehabilitation objectives and measures have been summarized in table format for the the components listed below and discussed in the three broad categories of (1) Physical Stability, (2) Chemical Stability, and (3) Land Use.

Typical Mine Site Components Include:

• Underground Mines,
• Open Pits,
• Ore, Concentrate and Development of Rock Piles,
• Tailings Impoundment Systems,
• Water Management,
• Buildings and Equipment,
• Landfills and Other Wastes,
• Infrastructure.

The physical stability of structures such as crown pillars, pit slopes, underground openings, tailings dams, spillways, diversion structures, rock pile slopes etc. must be stable to eliminate any hazard to public health and safety.

Surface and groundwaters must be protected against adverse environmental impacts resulting from mining and processing activities.

In a closed out condition, the rehabilitated site should be compatible with the surrounding lands.

The general rehabilitation measures for each of the above mine site components aimed at achieving these objectives has been provided in a series of tables attainable by clicking on the specific component in the list above.