Winston Belapuna’s Post

Who pays to clean up an old mine? The Inactive Mine Reclamation Program (IMRP) reclaims, safeguards, and restores lands impacted by past mining; specifically coal mines abandoned prior to August 3, 1977 (under the Surface Mining and Control Reclamation Act, or SMCRA), as well as hard rock and uranium mines in partnership with other state and Federal agencies. The IMRP is funded through Department of the Interior by reclamation fees paid by current coal mine operations on each ton of coal mined in Colorado. DRMS receives, on average, $3 million each year in "fee based" funding for safeguarding and program operations, in addition to approximately $10 million for coal related reclamation from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. There is no other program to address past mining hazards, and minimal funding is available for environmental projects. In all, the IMRP spent approximately $6.2 million in Fiscal Year 2023 on all reclamation investigations, designs, and safeguarding work. In addition to coal mine reclamation, the DRMS leverages their expertise in reclamation in non-coal projects with local, other state, and Federal organizations. Those projects are funded through a combination of grants, cost-sharing agreements, and other legislation.

Fundão Tailing Dam Failure - State of Legal Action in Brazil and UK & Other Impacts A recent article in The Guardian reports that the mining firm BHP has offered a total $25.7bn settlement for Brazil dam disaster on November 5th 2015. BHP said it had offered the settlement to the Brazilian authorities in partnership with fellow miner Vale, its 50:50 joint venture partner in a local subsidiary, Samarco. The collapse of the Fundão dam, owned by Samarco, resulted in several deaths and released a deluge of mining waste near Mariana, in the Minas Gerais region of Brazil, flowing into the Gualaxo do Norte river. A Brazilian judge has ruled that mining companies BHP and Vale and their joint venture Samarco must pay billions of dollars in damages for the Mariana dam disaster. The judgment does not relate to individual claims or compensation and therefore is separate from the claims brought in England. https://lnkd.in/dWc2Uezx In January 2024 London’s High Court to face BHP and Vale at a case management hearing ahead of the full trial in October 2024. Those affected by the Mariana dam disaster travelled 9000km to use the hearing as an opportunity to demand justice for Brazil’s worst ever environmental disaster. In January 2024 the law firm Pogust Goodhead were in court representing 700,000 victims, including individuals, Brazilian municipalities, Indigenous communities, and local churches, all of whom suffered loss as a result of the dam collapse over eight years ago. https://lnkd.in/dWc2Uezx As a result of this incident stakeholders collaborated to develop a Global Industry Standard on Tailings Management. https://lnkd.in/dhzNcC3C Mining companies can now make public disclosure of the tailings dams that they are responsible for managing – see for example this list from BHP in 2023. https://lnkd.in/dBvr36w5 It is important that financial provisions must be included in permits for mining operations that include tailings dams. Problems will occur where regulations are weak or where illegal operations take place. Here are some useful links. https://lnkd.in/dD8k8Vat https://lnkd.in/dxQKW_5A https://lnkd.in/dbpvcJ7a https://lnkd.in/dBz-YEaT https://lnkd.in/dUQGYEm5 https://lnkd.in/d_NJkiZj

RESOURCE NEWS: Porgera Restart Status PRESS RELEASE ❗ ❗ ❗ New Porgera Limited (NPL) is pleased to announce that the restart of Porgera is progressing well and is on track. First gold production is expected to be achieved in Q1 2024, as planned, subject to the Highlands Highway continuing to remain open and no further vandalism of project infrastructure. NPL General Manager, Chad Coulin, acknowledged the tremendous effort made by the NPL workforce and the support of the regulator, the Mineral Resources Authority, to restart the Porgera mine in compliance with the laws of Papua New Guinea (PNG). Following completion under the Porgera Project Commencement Agreement (PPCA) on 22 December 2023, the NPL team has stepped up and delivered outstandingly towards getting back into full production in Q3 as required by the PPCA. The critical path to full production is re-standing or replacing relevant towers along the Hides Transmission Line. In 2024 for the Porgera mine operations, there will be a spend of K2.7B (US$749m) (est.), which is divided between K1.6B (US$442m) of direct operating costs (including K613m (US$174m) that will be capitalized prior to restart) and K1.1B (US$308m) of capital. The expected export revenue from Porgera gold sales in 2024 is K1.8B (US$504m) which will assist in boosting PNG’s foreign exchange reserves. Expenditure on PNG sourced goods and services is estimated to be over K600m during 2024. Over 3,000 Papua New Guineans will be employed by NPL by the end of 2024 with a payroll for the year of K150m (US$42.6m). Royalties, which will be paid to landowners and the Enga Provincial Government, and 0.5% production levy to Mineral Resources Authority will amount to K63.4m (US$18m). Withholding taxes and custom duties payable to the National Government are estimated to be K28.2m (US$8m) for 2024. NPL has already commenced payment of K4.6m in outstanding compensation fees for the period that Porgera was in Care & Maintenance and will shortly commence negotiation of the long term compensation agreements with landholder agents. The sharing and division of project benefits such as equity and royalties among stakeholders, will be agreed at the Government managed Development Forum process and be recorded in a Porgera Project Community Development Agreement that NPL will be a party to. Under the Community Development Agreement, NPL will contribute through the Tax Credit Scheme to relevant infrastructure projects in the areas of health, education, roads and law and order. Law and order continues to be a challenge and NPL calls for all stakeholders to support restart operations by contributing to peace in the valley with no further vandalism of critical infrastructure. #PorgeraMine #NewPorgeraLimited

#ASXNews Development Update – Approvals and Project Progress Meeka Metals Limited is pleased to advise the approval of the mine dewatering and clearing permits. The Company acknowledges the current high level of permitting activity under assessment by DEMIRS (approximately 400 open applications) and expects the final permit, the open pit Mining Proposal, early in the September 2024 quarter. • Two permits required for the development of the Company’s 100% owned Murchison #Gold Project have been approved.  • A final permit, the open pit Mining Proposal, is expected to be received early in the September 2024 quarter.  • Site works are progressing with infrastructure arriving and the establishment of services and water supply for the camp and administration complex.  • The $2.2M secured, bridging loan facility (ASX announcement, 17 June 2024) has been drawn down, with $1.34M funding the purchase of a camp, administration complex and associated infrastructure including: • 116-person camp; • 200-person change house and ablutions for the Andy Well mining centre; • 36.5m x 14.5m fully fitted-out administration complex for the Andy Well mining centre; • 12m x 9m open pit mining office form the Turnberry mining centre; and • 110kL fuel storage tank. • Full credit approval for a larger project development facility remains targeted for July 2024. • Site activities including relocation and installation of the above infrastructure to ramp up post funding. Commenting on the progress, #MEK’s Managing Director Tim Davidson said: “Pleasingly we have received approval for several activities, with only one permit remaining to transition our Murchison Gold Project from development ready to full execution. Infrastructure and equipment mobilisation to site are ongoing. Preparation works are also underway in anticipation of installing the camp, administration complex, and underground mining change house in July 2024.” See the full announcement: https://bit.ly/3xM0XWK #MeekaMetals #MiningNews #ASX

Mining companies aim to 'regenerate' land post-mining operations, enhancing sustainability and creating more opportunities. According to SRK Consulting associate partner and principal civil engineer Justin Walls, this approach aligns with mine closure principles, requiring post-closure land use to be considered in feasibility planning. 'Regeneration' includes environmental issues, social considerations, and decarbonisation objectives. The process, he adds, may be more complicated and costly than initially planned, but it may open opportunities for alternative land use. Learn more about how this shift in approach aligns with the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals. #miningoperations #regenerate #rehabilitation #feasibilityplanning #debarbonisation #tailingsstoragefacilities #sustainability #wetland #groundwater #surfacewater #mineclosure

Mine Monitoring Projects Geomotion Australia Geomotion Australia WA is a leader in the field of geotechnical monitoring, with extensive experience in the mining sector. Our #team is recognized for its expertise in monitoring #mine sites and excavations, having successfully completed numerous #major projects, including #Tailings #Storage #Facilities (TSF) and both #underground and #opencut mining #operations. We pride ourselves on utilizing state-of-the-art technology to deliver precise and reliable monitoring solutions. Our products are built to an accredited quality control system, ensuring they can withstand the harshest environmental conditions and provide accurate data. This capability allows us to effectively monitor ground stability, structural integrity, and environmental conditions, ensuring the safety and efficiency of mining operations. At Geomotion Australia WA, we place a strong emphasis on respecting our clients' privacy and confidentiality. We understand the sensitive nature of mining operations and the importance of protecting proprietary information. Our team adheres to strict confidentiality protocols, ensuring that all client data and project details are handled with the utmost discretion. As leaders in the industry, we are committed to maintaining the highest standards of professionalism and integrity. Our dedication to client satisfaction and our ability to deliver innovative solutions make us the preferred choice for geotechnical monitoring in the mining sector. #GeomotionAustralia #GeomotionWA #MiningSector #GeotechnicalMonitoring #TSF #UndergroundMining #OpenCutMining #StateOfTheArtTechnology #AccreditedQualityControl #ClientConfidentiality #Professionalism #IndustryLeaders #InnovativeSolutions #MiningSafety #StructuralIntegrity #EnvironmentalMonitoring #GroundStability #MiningProjects #MiningOperations #MonitoringSolutions #DataAccuracy #ExtremeEnvironmentResilience #GeotechnicalSolutions

Advancing Reclamation, Mining, and Social Impact in British Columbia The Province of British Columbia (Government of British Columbia), Teck Resources Limited, and the Taku River Tlingit First Nation Government are partnering to remediate the former Tulsequah Chief mine site. This initiative marks a significant step towards environmental stewardship, reconciliation, and sustainable mining practices. The project will be set up at Tulsequah Chief mine, within TRTFN territory, approximately 100 km southwest of Atlin. The area is a historic copper, lead, and zinc mine. The main objective of all actions is to address acid rock drainage and restore the site according to Tlingit values. The remediation Cost is estimated at C$48 million and annual monitoring cost at C$27 million. Key Actions: 2024-25 Work: Teck will undertake site investigation, establish safe access, assess underground conditions, monitor water quality, and evaluate waste rock disposal. Collaborative Planning: Teck and TRTFN are co-developing the reclamation and closure plan, ensuring it aligns with TRTFN’s vision for future use. Social and Environmental Impact: Reconciliation: This partnership underscores a collective commitment to reconciliation and incorporating Taku River Tlingit First Nation’s rights and laws into reclamation planning. Sustainability: Reflects modern, responsible mining practices aimed at protecting the Tulsequah River and restoring the land for TRTFN’s beneficial use. Josie Osborne stated, “We are dedicated to ensuring the Tulsequah Chief mine site is remediated to meet high environmental standards, fostering sustainability and reconciliation”. Teck's VP of Environment, Scott Maloney, added, “This cooperative effort highlights the importance of all parties working together to advance remediation in support of reconciliation and sustainability.” #mining, #miningnews, #reclamation, #environment, #britishcolumbia

Highfield Resources Limited (ASX:HFR) has signed a contract for construction of the declines and underground mining infrastructure at the Muga-Vipasca #Potash Project in Spain. This contract has been awarded to the joint venture (JV) formed by mining specialist contractors EPOS-Empresa Portuguesa de Obras Subterráneas S.A. of Portugal and TUNELAN-Obras Subterráneas S.A. of Spain (EPOS-TUNELAN). The value of the decline contract is €48 million and is aligned to the estimated construction cost of the declines included in the Updated Muga Feasibility Study of November 7, 2023. This amount represents 11% of the phase 1 capex of €449 million and just under a third of the total planned contract construction budget. More at #Proactive #ProactiveInvestors #ASX #HFR #Fertiliser #SulphateofPotash #IndustrialMinerals http://ow.ly/pL29105lxbz