Sustainable development

A large rehabilitated areas surrounding Kriel Mine in South Africa

To date, more than 400 copies of the Toolbox have been distributed in various languages throughout the Group, more than 40 sites have started implementation and more than 300 middle and senior managers have been trained in Toolbox implementation.

We have learnt a number of useful lessons from the outcomes of the initial stages of Toolbox implementation. These reinforced the notion that closure planning is best conducted well in advance of mine closure. Among other things, early closure planning highlights opportunities to reduce environmental liabilities over the life of the operation much sooner, and enables operations, from the outset, to engage with and manage the expectations of their stakeholders. It also emphasises the importance of closure plans being defined and driven by the wider social, economic, physical and biological contexts within which a mine is located, as well as the value of partnerships and capacity building.

Our Projects Way includes a set of requirements for mine closure, ensuring that mines are planned, evaluated and designed with closure in mind. All projects must now have a closure plan included as part of the project development and investment evaluation process. At the end of 2011, 84% of mines had formal closure plans in place.

Mine closure has a specific set of front-end loading requirements that focus on the level of detail required during each stage of project development: concept, pre-feasibility and feasibility. This ensures that new mines are planned, evaluated and designed with closure in mind. All projects must now have a closure plan included as part of the project development and investment evaluation process.