DOINews: Bureau of Land Management's Mine-Closure Process Goes Global

04/13/2015
Last edited 09/05/2019

Chile is the world's largest copper producer, with copper production constituting 12 percent of Chile's GDP and 60 percent of its exports. Although the country has some of the world's most advanced mining
techniques, the industry has had no specific regulation for mine closure. Hence, BLM-Nevada shared its 30 years of experience on this subject during a recent visit from Chilean mining officials.

As part of the environmental cooperation under the U.S.-Chile Free Trade Agreement, DOI's International Technical Assistance Program is sharing best practices and technical expertise through workshops and field visits on a variety of environment-related topics, including mine closures.

Group photo of Chilean officials, BLM technical experts and ITAP's project manager at the University of Nevada at Reno.Chilean officials, BLM technical experts and ITAP's project manager gather for a photo at the University of Nevada at Reno.

The Chilean delegation included Rodrigo Alvarez, director of Chile's National Geology and Mining Service (SERNAGEOMIN), the office in charge of implementing mine closures, as well as technical experts from SERNAGEOMIN field and national offices and Maria de la Luz Vásquez, chief of the Ministry of Mining's Environmental Unit.

Chilean Minister of Mining Aurora Williams emphasized the excellent work produced through cooperation between the Ministry and DOI under the U.S.-Chile Free Trade Agreement. “This visit is a good example of the exchange of experiences between Chilean and American professionals,” Williams said. “In this regard, we hope to continue working together, because we recognize the 30 years of development that the United States has in the implementation of mine closure.”

Chilean mining officials and BLM-Nevada employees looking at a valve box at Newmont's Surprise Heap Leach Facility at Phoenix Mine.

Chilean mining officials and BLM-Nevada employees observe one of the valve boxes that regulates flow at evaporation ponds that receive drain-down flow at Newmont's Surprise Heap Leach Facility at Phoenix Mine.

In 2011, Chile passed mine-closure legislation, a pivotal tool for ensuring sustainable use of natural resources in the country. The law established a transition period to develop closure plans for mines
already in operation. Alvarez refers to the legislation as “an environmental milestone essential to making Chile a world-class mining country with a sustainable mining process.” Vásquez refers to it as “historic and consistent with Chile's strengthening environmental regulatory framework.”

The BLM-Nevada visit focused on chemical and physical stabilization during and after mine closures. ITAP drew on the technical expertise of Doug Siple, BLM-Nevada mining engineer, and Steve Fechner, retired BLM mining engineer, to develop a robust agenda that included meetings with government, industry, and academia. The Newmont and Waterton mining companies hosted the delegation and provided on-the-ground insight and information on stabilization and reclamation.

Ana Luisa Morales, SERNAGEOMIN'S mine-closure environmental chief; Rodrigo Alvarez, SERNAGEOMIN's director; and Maria de la Luz Vásquez, chief of Chile's Ministry of Mining's Environmental Unit, viewing Twin Creeks Mine.
Ana Luisa Morales, SERNAGEOMIN'S mine-closure environmental chief; Rodrigo Alvarez, SERNAGEOMIN's director; and Maria de la Luz Vásquez, chief of Chile's Ministry of Mining's Environmental Unit, enjoy the view at the Vista Pit overlook at Twin Creeks Mine.

According to Siple, “The closure plan is one of the most important phases of the mining process, because it's about what is going to be left, and the point is to ensure that the mined lands are reclaimed and stabilized both physically and chemically, and financial guarantees are in place so there is no long-term liability for the public.”

The BLM-Nevada tour exposed the Chilean officials to a variety of issues, including a history and overview of regulations and policies related to mine closure developed by federal agencies and the state
of Nevada, the different procedures used to extract minerals, and the methods used to reclaim and close remaining facilities (heap-leach pads, tailings storage, and waste-rock storage). Specific topics
discussed included reclamation methods, drainage control, water-pollution-control issues and re-vegetation.

Tour group looking at a stormwater-control basin at a waste-rock facility.
The tour group views a stormwater-control basin at a waste-rock facility. The basin is an engineered structure designed to control stormwater.

The presenters agreed on the importance of having a closure plan in the mine's pre-operation stage to avoid the high cost and difficulties of closure that occurs without proper planning. In addition, the experts agreed that regulation should be focused on performance rather than on a prescribed process, so that the private sector can develop the best techniques for a successful closure at each individual mine. The presenters emphasized that the subject of mine closure is an evolving one.

ITAP's project manager for Chile, Christina Kish, reflected on the experience in Nevada. “Chile is a strategic partner for the development of technical cooperation,” she said. “We hope that the visit to Nevada supports the technical capabilities of the Chilean government in its new process for closing mines.”

Tour group standing on top of an experimental-cover test plot.
The tour group stands on top of an experimental-cover test plot designed to test the performance of various cover-material thicknesses for future reclamation of a leach pad at Phoenix Mine.

The Chilean delegation said they were pleased with the opportunity to exchange mining best practices. With this commitment to implement laws that aim to reduce the impact of the extractive industry on the environment and the health of people, Chile has demonstrated its leadership on sustainable practices in the mining sector.

Story and photos by Isabel M. Long. Long is a BLM employee who is currently doing a detail at DOI's International Technical Assistance Program. Isabel traveled to Nevada with the Chilean Delegation.

April 13, 2015

Related Links:

BLM-Nevada
DOI-ITAP

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