Lisheen closure and rehabilitation

Challenge the practice is addressing: After 17 years of operation, mining at Vedanta's Lisheen Mine in Tipperary, Ireland, came to a stop at the end of 2015. As far as the company is concerned, the narrative did not finish while mining at Lisheen. Vedanta has always anticipated closing the Lisheen site and successfully rehabilitating it. A best practice mine closure plan was put into place to completely handle all regulatory authority permit requirements, with a focus on the actual closure of the mine and aftercare of the site. The closure work at Lisheen is regarded as one of the best examples of ecologically responsible mine closure and rehabilitation anywhere in the world.

Concrete practice to achieve the expected goal: The following measures were put into place to guarantee a good closure: - preventing a collapse of the subterranean structures that would cause surface sinking - removing all plant and equipment, whether above- and below-ground - allowing fresh water to be refilled into the mining workings - all entrances to the subsurface workings must be blocked and sealed - fully constructed tailings deposition facility covering to give a variety of potential after-uses, like solar power or energy crops or animal grazing - constructing a location that will appeal to other industries - providing assistance to Lisheen employees throughout the shutdown, including grants for upskilling and training and redeployment to other Vedanta businesses

Expected impact/goal of the practice: Vedanta pledged at Lisheen to leave behind a safe and secure site and to work to establish a successor industry on the property with all the social advantages it entails.

Who is the target user group of the practice/intervention or implementing the practice/intervention? This practice is relevant for companies in the site remediation industry.