News Archive

How do you close mines in socially, economically and environmentally responsible ways? The University of Western Australia's Australian Centre for Geomechanics and Centre for Land Rehabilitation are calling for papers for the Fourth International Conference on Mine Closure 2009 where these issues will be on the agenda.

Some of the conference themes are: planning for closure in an uncertain future; managing unplanned closure; costing closure correctly; recognising and accounting for closure liabilities; dealing with stakeholder concerns; long-term geotechnical stability; reducing long-term water management costs; climate change and mine site rehabilitation; and restoring natural ecosystems.

Plenary speakers are: Professor Martin Fey, The University of Western Australia, Professor Alan Baker from The University of Melbourne, Dr Gary Bentel of BHP Billiton, and Mr Howard Smith of the Northern Land Council.

The Australian Centre for Geomechanics is a not-for-profit mining research centre based at The University of Western Australia, Perth. The Centre undertakes research, education and training activities in the geomechanics disciplines to provide industry with the necessary tools and knowledge to ensure that safety is not simply a priority on par with productivity, but rather a guiding ethic.

The Centre for Land Rehabilitation is a multi-disciplinary centre applying soil science, geomechanics, hydrology, soil and plant biology, plant nutrition, ecology and resource economics to the management of disturbed lands.

The conference will be on September 9-11 at the Sheraton Hotel, Perth.

For more information, visit the website: https://www.mineclosure2009.com

Media references

Sally-Ann Jones (UWA Public Affairs) (+61 8) 6488 7975 / (+61 4) 20 790 098