Transform – Tomorrow’s thinking, today: Data foundations for AI - Episodes 18 and 19
At a glance
In this two-part conversation, we explore how the mining industry is rethinking closure, moving it earlier into the lifecycle and placing greater emphasis on community voice and long-term outcomes. We reflect on how transparent decision-making, shared planning and evolving partnerships with Indigenous communities are shaping what comes next, with a focus on creating lasting value beyond the life of a mine.
Part one: How is mine closure shifting from an endpoint to a lifecycle strategy? Why early planning and community voices matter
In part one, GHD’s Mary Kelly (Social Performance and Indigenous Partnership Leader) and Dave Clark (Americas Mining Sector Leader) explore what happens beyond mine closure and why it matters long before operations end. We bring together perspectives from across the mining lifecycle to reframe closure as an ongoing commitment, shaped by evolving site conditions, community priorities and long-term environmental outcomes.
Through a candid conversation, we examine the growing role of early planning, stronger stakeholder involvement and the critical connection between water, land use and legacy. We also reflect on the importance of meaningful partnerships with communities, recognising that the decisions made today will be carried forward for generations.
Part two: What does good mine closure look like? Why co-planning with communities matters more than ever
In part two, Mary and Dave continue the discussion and examine how mine closure can move beyond compliance to become a genuinely shared process with communities. We explore the shift towards treating social closure as a core design input, where decisions are shaped early and evolve through ongoing dialogue and shared understanding.
We reflect on changing expectations, including the growing role of Indigenous communities and the importance of co-planning future land use, infrastructure and economic opportunities. At its core, the episode asks: how do we co-create outcomes that communities will carry forward long after mining ends?
Subheading 3
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