Today's episode is spent in the company of Dr Geraldine McGuire, who for over twenty years has worked on complex projects balancing economic, environmental and social aspects to achieve sustainable solutions. As managing director of Sustainable Solutions Global Pty Ltd, her main specialisation is mine closure, and the topic of discussion today is around repurposing mines vs traditional mine closures.

We discuss the difference between a traditional mine closure and repurposing a mine and how this effects the local communities and what challenges are mining companies facing in mine closure and what could they do better. We also look at ideas and examples of companies repurposing mines, and the benefits this provides to local communities.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• The laws in Indonesia and Australia are surprisingly similar as they have all emanated from the World Bank. The only real difference is the enforcement of the laws.
• The main issue in re-purposing mines comes in the vested interests of companies who perhaps do not care so much about the environmental issues that follow.
• Mine closures are generally about reverting the land back to its original state, and also to restoring the people back to their original way of life.
• The difference between mine-closure and repurposing is that re-purposing is trying to think of a different use for the mine, instead of simply putting the land back to the way it was.
• Locals need to be involved in either closing or repurposing, so as to ensure that they will benefit to the fullest extent in the wake of a mining operation moving on.
• Reintroduction of natural species, along with restorative aspects, are the current trends in the mine-closure market.

.BEST MOMENTS

‘Mining is a non-renewable resource’

’The reason that we’re doing it is in safety and wellbeing’

‘I call it “putting the egg back together”'

’There are ongoing jobs and ongoing opportunities’

VALUABLE RESOURCES

Dig Deep – The Mining Podcast on iTunes

Dr Geraldine McGuire LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/geraldine-mcguire-5b26121b/?originalSubdomain=au

Sustainable Solutions - https://sustainablesolutionsglobal.com

ABOUT THE HOST

Rob Tyson is an established recruiter in the mining and quarrying sector and decided to produce the “Dig Deep” The Mining Podcast to provide valuable and informative content around the mining industry. He has a passion and desire to promote the industry and the podcast aims to offer the mining community an insight to peoples experiences and careers covering any mining discipline, giving the listeners helpful advice and guidance on industry topics.

Rob is the Founder and Director of Mining International Ltd, a leading global recruitment and headhunting consultancy based in the UK specialising in all areas of mining across the globe from first world to third world countries from Africa, Europe, Middle East, Asia and Australia. We source, headhunt and discover new and top talent talent through a targeted approach and search methodology and have a proven track record in sourcing and positioning exceptional candidates into our clients organisation in any mining discipline or level. Mining International provides a transparent, informative and trusted consultancy service to our candidates and clients to help them develop their careers and business goals and objectives in this ever-changing marketplace.

CONTACT METHOD

rob@mining-international.org

https://www.linkedin.com/in/rob-tyson-3a26a68/

www.mining-international.org

https://twitter.com/MiningConsult

https://www.facebook.com/MiningInternational.org

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC69dGPS29lmakv-D7LWJg_Q?guided_help_flow=3