Extractives & land restoration
Mine Rehabilitation
Definition
Mine rehabilitation is the restoration of the post-mined landscape to the intended post-mining land use: reshaping landforms, managing waste rock and tailings, re-establishing soil and vegetation, and ensuring water quality, so the site is safe, stable and non-polluting. Mine closure is the broader process of decommissioning at end of operations; completion is reached when the lease can be relinquished.
References
definitions of closure, rehabilitation and completion, planning principles
post-mining land use framework, alternate land uses
Overview
What it means
Good practice integrates closure planning from project design onward, undertakes progressive rehabilitation during operations, sets measurable completion criteria, and engages communities on post-mining land uses — from grazing and native woodland to higher-value alternatives such as renewables or recreation.
How it is used
Governed by mining law and guidance (e. g. , ICMM's Integrated Mine Closure Good Practice Guide, the ISO mine closure standard series); regulators approve closure plans and hold financial assurance until completion criteria are met.
Why it matters
Mining is a transient land use; rehabilitation determines whether its legacy is restored landscapes and community benefit or perpetual pollution and liability.