A global meeting on responsible mine closure is to be held within the world heritage mining landscape of County Cornwall, south-west England at the Eden Project, itself a former quarry, from 18-20 September, 2013.
The International Mine Closure Conference 2013 will focus on how to improve the environmental and social outcomes when mining operations cease. The conference series, which is in its eighth year, has attracted a wealth of industry experts from around the world presenting research findings and sharing best practice around minimising the impacts of mine closure.
Previously held in Australia, South Africa, Chile and Canada, this is the first time it has come to Europe. Cornwall’s rich mining heritage, with its many different examples of post-mining regeneration, is a natural home for the conference this year.
The focus will be on mine closure and its socio-economic and environmental legacies, appealing specifically to engineers, reclamation specialists, community engagement practitioners, environmental scientists, mine managers and planners and economists.
Speakers include Bill Adams, chief advisor of areas under land management at Rio Tinto; Aiden Davy, deputy president of International Council on Mining and Metals; Sir Tim Smit, co-founder of the Eden Project, and many more.
Mine Closure 2013 includes three days of conference sessions and additional days of practical workshops and field day trips.
The conference is sponsored by
Bill Adams said: “The Eden Project provides the ideal backdrop for Mine Closure 2013. Rio Tinto’s ten-year association with the project has positively influenced our own approach to mine closure and the conference is a great forum to share best practice.”
Sam Hoe-Richardson, head of sustainable development and energy at Anglo American, said: “Anglo American is committed to making a sustainable difference in the countries where it operates. This means designing, operating and closing our mines in a sustainable and responsible way. We believe that land stewardship and mine closure are critical for the future of the mining industry. Anglo American is proud to be a sponsor of Mine Closure 2013, which is playing an important role by bringing together experts on these topics.”
James McNally, of Wardell Armstrong International, said: “Wardell Armstrong International is proud to be a sponsor of Mine Closure 2013 which has become a respected international forum that puts technical excellence first.
“The combination of choice of venue and location, papers and presenters, delegates and exhibiters collectively demonstrates an outstanding conference programme. During the conference we hope to share information about our own innovative mine closure strategies with the goal of minimising environmental and social impacts throughout and beyond the life of a mine.”
Jeff Parshley, principal geologist with SRK Consulting, said: “At SRK, we believe sharing experiences and knowledge more broadly throughout the industry is the best way for any discipline to evolve. We see the focus of this year’s conference in combining the technical side of mine closure with social responsibility as the logical next step in the evolution of mine closure. As the venue, the Eden Project is a perfect example of this amalgamation.”
“It is a major coup for the region that Cornwall has attracted this international conference, and provides a great opportunity to demonstrate the wealth of experience we have in this sector within the south-west,” says Philip Mogridge, head of mining and minerals at Stephens Scown.
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