Mine closure requires a multi-disciplinary approach that considers the needs of all stakeholders. An effective approach to mine closure and rehabilitation considers existing available guidance and site-specific precedence, objectives, and criteria. Initial considerations and typical components of a closure and rehabilitation plans will be discussed. Lessons learned from early closure and rehabilitation construction efforts and successful implementation of closure and rehabilitation concepts for several different locations, commodities, and facilities will be described.

Heather Lammers is a Ph.D. Candidate in Mining Engineering at
Mines. Heather has expertise in multi-disciplinary analysis and design for mine waste and water management strategies. Her international project experience includes mine closure and reclamation, and heap leach, tailings storage, and waste rock facility design. She is a member of the Society for Mining, Metallurgy & Exploration and serves as an intern to the National Board of Directors and Past Chair and Board Member of the Colorado Section, in addition to serving on several working committees. She received her B.S. degree in geological engineering from the University of North Dakota and her M.S. degree in mining engineering from Mines. Heather consulted for 15 years with WSP Golder as a Senior Engineer and Senior Technical Principal, and is currently a teaching assistant at Mines.