Integrated Mine Closure
Course commences 9 October 2023
Learn how Integrated Mine Closure (IMC) can realise significant value to operations; how to assess closure risks; opportunities to realise value and maintenance programs to drive relinquishment.
Quick facts
 Duration |
 Delivery |
 Course Type |
 2023 IntakeS |
 PD Hours |
 Language |
40 hours
|
100% online |
Professional
|
9 October 2023 |
Up to 40 |
English |
Course overview
Start with end in mind, from an integrated multi-disciplinary perspective, to decrease risk and realise value to mining operations.
The expectations of internal and external stakeholders from an environment, social, governance (ESG) perspective continue to rise. AusIMM’s Integrated Mine Closure Professional Certificate presents an opportunity for resource professionals to 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.
This Professional Certificate introduces Integrated Mine Closure (IMC), the role of environmental and socio-economic knowledge base and the importance of a shared closure vision; the criticality of social transition and leaving a positive legacy to successful IMC; the importance of closure integration into Life of Mine planning and multi-disciplinary ownership of IMC.
You will learn to:
- Identify and assess closure risks and opportunities to reduce risk and realise value;
- Recognise that the execution of closure plans requires the same project management rigour as the original mine development;
- Explain success criteria and associated monitoring and maintenance programs to drive relinquishment.
Through improved knowledge of the Integrated Mine Closure process, learners will be able to more proactively contribute to planning and execution as part of their normal roles, rapidly upskill in this important process, add more value to your role, and use the increased knowledge as a springboard to higher level opportunities within your company.
ICMM’s ‘Integrated Mine Closure: Good Practice Guide’ has been drawn upon in the development of this course. AusIMM would like to acknowledge the contributors to that guide, in particular the ICMM team, their members and consultants.
Enrolments now open
Course commences 9 October
Learn from a world-class faculty of integrated mine closure experts
Earn digital credentials
Showcase your studies, validate your knowledge
Verify your new skills and knowledge with a digital badge that you can add to your LinkedIn profile, email signature, intranet, or any other online account.
Your badge links to a detailed outline of the course, showcasing and validating your new skills in a format that employers and colleagues can easily access and trust.
Who should attend?
Mid-level managers (Coordinators and Superintendents)
Subject Matter Experts (Specialists) in the Mining Industry in disciplines that have a role to play in Integrated Mine Closure. This includes 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.
Download the course brochure
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 IMC planning, and the crucial role that stakeholder ownership of the closure vision and associated land-uses plays.
- Explain the criticality of social transition to successful IMC 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 LoM planning and multi-disciplinary ownership of IMC, including explaining the importance of increasing maturity of closure activities throughout the LoM.
- 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.
- 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 closure costs and their purpose, as well as the key components of an Integrated Closure Plan.
- Recognise that the execution of closure plans requires the same project management rigour as the original mine development, and 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.
- 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 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. The course consists of:
- Live virtual classrooms (recordings made available within 24 hours)
- Pre-recorded videos, featuring interviews with experienced industry experts
- Interactive learning activities and discussion
- Multiple choice questions
- Additional reading including case studies
Live sessions are recorded and available within 24 hours for participants who are unable to attend.
The final assessment will require participants to critically assess a closure plan.
For more detailed information about the topics included in each module, please download the course brochure.
Module 1
Virtual classroom
Thursday 12 October
11.00 am - 12.00 pm AEDT
Module 2
Virtual classroom
Thursday 19 October
4.00 pm - 5.00 pm AEDT
Module 3
Virtual classroom
Thursday 26 October
9.00 am - 10.00 am AEDT
Module 4
Virtual classroom
Thursday 2 November
11.00 am - 12.00 pm AEDT
Module 5
Virtual classroom
Tuesday 14 November
9.00 am - 10.00 am AEDT
Module 6
Virtual classroom
Thursday 16 November
1.00 pm - 2.00 pm AEDT
Enrolments now open
Course commences 9 October
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
Unearthed Environmental Services Pty Ltd
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.
Dr Sheridan Coakes
Umwelt Environmental and Social Consultants
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.
Dr Ana Maria Esteves
Community Insights Group PTE LTD
Kim Ferguson
Dr Cherie McCullough
Mine Lakes Consulting
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
Okane Consultants
Jonathan Sanders
KCB Australia
Dr Neeltje Slingerland
WSP
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
Teck Resources Ltd
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.
Narelle Wolfe
Her experience extends from operational to corporate for both large and mid-tier companies exposing her to several commodity types, business models and development approaches in variety of complex jurisdictions. Narelle has developed and driven strategies, systems and processes that assess, lift, monitor and report on internal and external performance. Her knowledge combined with a hands-on technical background and collaborative approach has informed development, built partnerships, guided research, established enduring relationships, provided innovative solutions, and delivered integrated sustainable outcomes.
Dr Renee Young
The Western Australian Biodiversity Science Institute
Renee has published several key documents to support the mining sector including the International Principles and Standards for the Ecological Restoration and Recovery of Mine Sites, A framework for developing mine-site completion criteria in Western Australia and, Towards a framework for regional cumulative impact assessment. Renee also sits on the AusIMM Social and Environment Committee and is working with the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) and the Society for Ecological Restoration on the development of additional training opportunities for the mining sector in restoration practices.
Course pricing
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. They will not be required to download any software and will not require any hardware like a webcam or microphone.
How long will the 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?
Unfortunately no, the course must be completed 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 course. One contact hour of technical content is equivalent to one PD hour.