Mine life planning

All Rio Tinto operations are required to have a closure plan to minimise adverse impacts on the natural and human environment, and to ensure a legacy remains which makes a positive contribution to sustainable development.

Rio Tinto Coal Australia has adopted the term 'mine life plan' rather than closure plan, as closure planning is incorporated into every stage of mine life.  For example, in new operations a mine life plan is now prepared even before it is approved and construction commences.  Plans are then reviewed and updated throughout the life of the mine.

To ensure all issues and options are considered, the mine life planning process is carried out by a multi-disciplinary team including mine planners, engineers and specialists in the areas of finance, the environment, community relations and human resources.  Community consultation is also a part of the process, with input sought on the vision for closure and preferred end land use.

In 2007 we met all our targets in the area of mine life planning and updated the Blair Athol Mine and Hail Creek Mine life plans. We also completed mine life plans for Kestrel Mine, Bengalla mine, the Mount Pleasant project and Mount Thorley Warkworth, which were reviewed by the Rio Tinto Closure Steering Committee.

Due to the sale of Tarong Mine, the requirement for RTCA to produce a mine life plan was no longer applicable. A draft knowledge base was developed for the Hail Creek Mine life plan.

The Blair Athol Mine life plan was ongoing due to the upcoming closure of the site in five years.