June 15, 2025
NSW Has the Opportunity to Lead on Post-Mining Land Use
Andrew Hutton is Managing Director of IEMA, an environmental and closure advisory firm based in regional NSW. He has nearly 30 years’ experience in mine closure strategy, regulatory approvals, and stakeholder engagement. As New South Wales inevitably confronts the question of what becomes of our former mine sites is no longer academic. Across the Hunter […]
May 13, 2025
What’s Next for Environmental Reform and Climate Policy in Australia?
With the federal election behind us, Australia stands at an important crossroads for environmental reform and climate policy. Over the past term, we saw the Government attempt a bold overhaul of environmental laws and climate frameworks – many of which faced roadblocks in Parliament. As the newly re-elected Government settles in, the direction it takes […]
May 4, 2025
The Draft JORC Code Signals a New Era for Mining: ESG, Closure, and Competent Person Accountability
The Joint Ore Reserves Committee (JORC) has released its draft 2024 Code for public consultation, setting the stage for a step-change in the way Australia’s mining and resources industry communicates project viability and value. This isn’t just a technical update—it’s a fundamental realignment with the modern expectations of investors, regulators, financiers, and communities. The proposed […]
April 19, 2025
NSW’s Next Big Transition: Can Mine Closures Be Our Greatest Opportunity?
A quiet revolution is brewing in the regions of New South Wales. The kind of revolution that could redefine what we do with the thousands of hectares of land left behind by decades of mining — and what kind of future we offer to the communities who live on it. A new report from the […]
April 14, 2025
How Climate Scenario Modelling Can Transform Mine Closure Planning — Beyond the Operational Horizon
Executive Summary IntroductionMine closure is often thought of as the final act of mining — a technical and regulatory exercise to rehabilitate disturbed land. But Australia’s incoming mandatory climate-related financial disclosure framework, starting from January 2025, changes that paradigm completely. Under the new regime, mining companies must analyse and disclose how climate change impacts their […]
April 4, 2025
Independent Peer Review in Mine Closure: Technical Insights That Strengthen Closure Outcomes
As mine closure evolves into a more structured and regulated phase of the mining lifecycle, independent peer reviews have emerged as an essential tool for stress-testing closure plans. Done well, they can identify significant risks, uncover strategic opportunities, and ultimately lead to better environmental, financial, and social outcomes. Drawing on IEMA – Integrating Sustainability, Business […]