Closure
Reclaiming disturbed land is an integral part of our work to protect the environment
When production sites are closed, the Group has an obligation to protect the environment, including ensuring that the soil on the site is properly restored.
This involves planning effectively for the after-mining landscape, which encompasses all activities required before, during, and after the operating life of a mine to ensure that an acceptable landscape is left behind. To achieve this, mine reclamation planning starts during the early stages of each project.
Each of our mines has a rehabilitation plan that outlines sustainable or community projects that are planned for delivery on their respective territory. This is periodically monitored by the Board. Finance and operational teams from the mine and the Safety and Sustainable Development Committee are responsible for developing, executing, monitoring, and reporting on progress on rehabilitation plans. These plans are incorporated into strategic business plans, mine operating plans, and the annual budget.
As part of such rehabilitation activities, thousands of seedlings of local trees (predominantly mango and baobab trees) are planted in the tree nurseries at the Bissa-Bouly mine to ensure that, after the mine is closed, the former pits will be naturally restored.