Impacts of mine closure and the potential of impact assessment to enable post-mining transition
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 21154209 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Izhar Mithal Jiskani (0000-0002-3220-8880, Aalborg University, corresponding author), Anne Merrild Hansen (0000-0001-7889-4604, Aalborg University), Sara Bjørn Aaen (0000-0001-6805-0950, Aalborg University) |
| Year | 2026 |
| Volume | 44 |
| Issue | 2 |
| Pages | 131-149 |
| Publication date | 2026-03-04 |
| Open Access | Yes |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | Impact Assessment and Project Appraisal (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 1461-5517 • E-ISSN: 1471-5465 |
| Publisher | Informa UK Limited (PUBLISHER • GB) |
| DOI | 10.1080/14615517.2026.2626191 |
| OpenAlex | W7128077945 |
| Language | EN |
| References cited | 61 |
Mine closure generates social, environmental, and economic impacts that standard project-level impact assessment (IA) often overlooks. Despite this, the role of IA in guiding mine closure planning, particularly in relation to post-mining transition (PMT), remains underexplored. This study investigates the significance of mine closure impacts and explores the potential of IA to inform closure planning. A typology of fifty-four positive and negative impacts was developed and used to conduct a global expert survey. This survey evaluated impact significance and collected qualitative insights on additional impacts, challenges, and opportunities for IA. Results indicate that experts recognize closure impacts while showing divergence in their perceived significance. Experts affirmed the value of IA but highlighted gaps such as weak regulatory frameworks and limited integration of closure in early project planning. The analysis identifies critical impacts and delineates a dual application of IA. Proactive IA applies to new mines by integrating closure planning from project inception, while retrospective IA addresses legacy mines as a diagnostic tool for unresolved liabilities. Implementing IA as an adaptive and participatory process rooted in justice, equity, and sustainability can improve closure planning and enhance sustainable PMT outcomes
Economic impact analysis · Impact assessment · Sustainability · Typology · Environmental and Social Impact Assessments · Mining and Resource Management · Tailings Management and Properties
A critical review of the social aspects of mine closure
International Principles for Social Impact Assessment
Getting to ‘agreed’ post-mining land use – an ecosystem services approach
Integrating mine closure planning with environmental impact assessment
Socio‐economic impacts of mine closure
Values in post-mining regional transition
Life after Meadowbank
Post-mining landscapes and their endogenous development potential for small- and medium-sized towns
Comparative capacity of global mining regions to transition to a post-mining future
From underground economy to surface tensions
Coping with sudden mine closure
Designing Community Participation for Mine Closure and Social Transition
The socio-economic impacts of mine closure on local communities
A research framework for studying social impacts
Scenario analysis in environmental impact assessment
Mongolian mining engagement with SIA and ESG initiatives
Evaluating the effectiveness of integrating the environmental impact assessment and mine closure planning processes
Assessing the effects of a Canadian-Mongolian capacity building program for health and environmental impact assessment in the mining sector
Visiting mine reclamation
Potential socio-economic consequences of mine closure
| Highly cited | No |
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