By Andrew Hutton (based on work by Will Mitry and Erin Littlewood presented at the 2025 AusIMM LOM Conference, Brisbane.

In an era of rising environmental expectations, regulatory scrutiny, and climate uncertainty, mine closure is no longer a back-end activity. It is a forward-thinking process that must embed resilience, accountability, and nature-positive outcomes from the outset. At the forefront of this transformation are spatial data systems, practical technologies that integrate geographic, environmental, and operational data into intelligent frameworks to support better closure decisions.

That’s why two (2) new spatial intelligence platforms, IMERCS and EcoScenario, developed by staff at IEMA – Integrating Sustainability, Business & Community are gaining momentum. Both are built in Australia, field-tested on operational sites, and developed by mining and closure professionals for mining and closure professionals. Remember “we have walked in your shoes”. Together, they offer a new standard for closure compliance, resilience, and biodiversity performance.

The Shift: Why Spatial Intelligence Matters to mine closure planning

Traditional mine closure systems often rely on disparate data sources, manual workflows, and regional climate assumptions. These legacy approaches struggle to:

• Track evolving closure obligations
• Capture and retain institutional knowledge
• Assess future climate and biodiversity risks
• Demonstrate compliance and performance to regulators

Spatial data systems overcome these limitations by:

• Centralising structured and unstructured environmental data
• Embedding GIS, AI, and automation into operational workflows
• Enabling high-resolution, site-specific modelling
• Supporting transparent, real-time reporting and audit readiness

IMERCS: An Intelligence System for Closure Compliance

IMERCS (Integrated Mining, Environmental, Rehabilitation and Closure System), developed by IEMA in partnership with Whitehaven Coal, is a modular, cloud-based platform built on:

• AWS Cloud Infrastructure – Scalable, secure, and globally deployable
• ESRI ArcGIS – For spatial data integration and visualisation
• OpenAI APIs – To enable AI-driven document interrogation and regulatory reasoning
• FME (Feature Manipulation Engine) – For data automation, transformation, and ingestion across systems

It integrates management plan obligations with execution records, using spatial intelligence, automated workflows, and AI agents to support mine closure and rehabilitation. IMERCS operates on a Plan-Do-Check-Act cycle. IMERCS offers a suite of 13+ configurable modules that can be tailored to site needs. These include:

• Environmental Monitoring: Tracks surface water, groundwater, dust, flora and fauna parameters spatially and temporally
• Rehabilitation Planning and Tracking: Links design with actual performance through drone surveys, NDVI analysis, and milestone tracking
• ePTW (electronic Permit-to-Work): Integrated with spatial constraints and biodiversity overlays
• Cultural Heritage and Subsidence Management: Maps sensitive areas and ensures protection during closure activities
• Closure Cost Estimation: Uses spatial metrics and schedule data to refine provision forecasts
• Regulatory Reporting: Generates automated reports aligned with State and Federal regulations

A standout feature is the AI toolkit embedded in IMERCS:

• IMERCS GPT: Parses management plans, execution records, and survey data to surface compliance status, overdue actions, and misalignments.
• Audit AI: Assists in regulatory audits by extracting and comparing obligation fulfillment across time.
• Regulator GPT: Crosswalks internal documentation with regulatory frameworks to highlight gaps or inconsistencies.
• RehabEye AI (in development): Uses machine learning on drone imagery to assess erosion, vegetation cover, and landform stability.

At Narrabri Coal Operations, IMERCS processed 100+ digital ePTWs without incident, delivered >95% rehab success in key zones, and impressed regulators with its audit readiness.

EcoScenario: Designing for Nature-Positive Closure

Presented at Life of Mine 2025, EcoScenario is IEMA’s GIS-based closure simulation platform. It lets planners model landform and biodiversity performance under future climate conditions, using real site data, not regional proxies. The platform is also being developed to integrate the requirements of mandatory climate reporting into closure planning and can be supported by a detailed climate change risk assessment tailored to site-specific exposures.

EcoScenario is a GIS-based platform that:

• Operates at a 5m x 5m grid resolution for terrain, habitat, and climate inputs
• Utilises IPCC RCP Scenarios (2.6, 4.5, 8.5) to simulate possible climate futures
• Integrates species movement models, fire/flood risk overlays, and hydrological algorithms
• Provides interactive visualisation layers for stakeholder engagement and adaptive design

Core Applications

• Biodiversity Offsets and Connectivity: Models future species corridors, habitat recovery, and edge effects
• Landform Evolution: Simulates erosion, slope stability, and drainage performance under extreme events
• Climate Risk Assessment: Evaluates exposure to cyclones, fire weather, drought stress, and inundation
• Stakeholder Planning: Produces interactive maps and scenario narratives for Traditional Owners, regulators, and communities

Case Studies:

The power of spatial intelligence lies not just in its technical sophistication, but in its practical impact on the ground. IMERCS and EcoScenario have been deployed at active mine sites across diverse geographies and operational contexts, where they are helping closure teams move from static plans to adaptive, data-driven strategies.

The following case studies demonstrate how these platforms can be used to:

• Translate complex closure objectives into spatially targeted actions
• Anticipate environmental risks under future climate scenarios
• Improve regulator confidence through transparent, auditable data
• Deliver measurable ecological outcomes that go beyond compliance

These examples reflect the evolving role of closure professionals—not just as stewards of compliance, but as strategic designers of post-mining landscapes

Hunter Valley, NSW

EcoScenario helped reimagine the post-mining land use from low-productivity grazing to a 570-hectare native woodland corridor, increasing habitat connectivity by 20% and aligning with local biodiversity targets.

North Queensland

Under cyclonic rainfall simulations, EcoScenario identified vulnerabilities in legacy drainage design. Redesign efforts, guided by platform outputs, ensured tailings dam resilience under 1-in-200-year rainfall events

Lessons from the Field: What Makes These Systems Work?

1. Site-Specific Data Over Regional Proxies

Both IMERCS and EcoScenario anchor their intelligence in on-site monitoring and survey data—enabling precise, confident decision-making.

2. Embedded into Operational Workflows

IMERCS integrates seamlessly with daily site operations, connecting rehabilitation teams, planners, and environmental specialists. EcoScenario feeds directly into closure visioning, risk assessments, and community consultation tools.

3. Scalable and Modular Architecture

IMERCS adapts across different operations—from open-cut coal to metalliferous mines—with a plug-and-play module framework. EcoScenario can be calibrated for any terrain, landform objective, or regulatory jurisdiction.

4. AI and Automation

From GPT-powered audits to drone-based landform analytics, the platforms minimise manual effort, maximise insight, and accelerate response times.

Looking Ahead: The Spatial Data Advantage

As mining companies face growing expectations from investors, regulators, communities, and nature itself, the ability to demonstrate closure outcomes will be key to maintaining social license.

Spatial data systems offer:

• Data-driven compliance tracking and audit readiness
• Nature-positive design that restores ecosystems, not just landform
• Risk visibility for climate adaptation and liability management
• Stakeholder transparency to build trust and accountability

Closing Thoughts: Turning Risk into Readiness

Mine closure is no longer the final chapter; it’s a live process unfolding over decades. The most effective practitioners will be those who can turn complexity into clarity, using tools that speak the language of both regulators and ecosystems.

IMERCS and EcoScenario aren’t just technologies, they’re strategies. They’ve been built with real closure constraints in mind, tested on operational sites, and designed to evolve as the expectations do.

If you’re in the closure game, now is the time to upgrade your toolkit—not just to meet obligations, but to lead the transition to transparent, resilient, nature-positive mining.

Want to see how these tools can work at your site?

Erin Littlewood – Principal Consultant, IEMA [email protected]

Will Mitry – Associate Consultant, IEMA [email protected]

By Andrew Hutton – Managing Director, IEMA

In the world of mining, extraction is only half the story. The other half – often less glamorous but just as critical – is what happens when the digging stops and how we can contemplate the transition of mine sites to a beneficial reuse that generates employment and supports the regional economies surrounding it.

Across New South Wales, a quiet transformation is underway. Mines are maturing, leases are winding down, and the industry is shifting from boom-and-bust to something more measured: legacy management, rehabilitation, and ultimately, relinquishment.

But if you’ve ever tried navigating the maze of mining lease sign-off in NSW, you’ll know it’s not just a matter of ticking boxes and walking away. Nor should it be.

The Missing Piece? Evidence

At the heart of the process is evidence, not intent, not effort, but cold, hard proof squarely based on a firm base of a solid and robust risk assessment.

In our experience, the NSW Resources Regulator wants to see that every risk has been controlled, every contour restored, and every patch of land returned to a safe, stable, and sustainable state. That means having a robust Rehabilitation Management Plan, documented works, and a rigorous level of verification.

This is where Inspection and Test Plans (ITPs) come into their own. Too often treated as back-office admin, they’re actually the backbone of the entire process. ITPs show how each rehabilitation activity was executed, assessed, and verified. They create the traceability regulators need to say “yes.”

Without structured, consistent records management, it’s impossible to demonstrate compliance confidently. Strong projects are now building their Relinquishment Assurance Reports (RARs) off carefully curated evidence chains supported by ITP completion data—not guesswork.

It’s Also Intelligent Use of Spatial Tech

Gone are the days when relinquishment was tracked in folders and memory sticks. Today, spatial data systems are driving decision-making, visualising what areas are ready for submission, overlaying verification data, and identifying gaps.

Smart operators are using GIS platforms to:

• Map completion criteria against real-time landform data
• Identify high-risk zones like tailings facilities
• Track forward works with geospatial accuracy
• Collect evidence spatially
• Use AI to generate workflows and match site obligations

This spatial intelligence isn’t just a visual tool – it’s a strategic asset. It helps teams prioritise work, engage with regulators using evidence, and communicate progress with stakeholders.

It’s a Project and a Strategy

Too often, companies treat relinquishment as the final checkbox on a closure plan. In reality, it’s a standalone project – with its own scope, resources, and risks. It’s big, the dollars are material – treat it like it’s a $50M project, not a rehab job. Establish governance, processes and IPRs. Move along the project pathway of Concept, PFS and Feasibility – and give yourself plenty of time to pivot whilst you have budget, cashflow, kit and people on site.

The most forward-thinking operators are treating relinquishment as a strategic opportunity. They’re using spatial analysis to map areas for early sign-off and getting them through the process ahead of time. Using the processes to build credibility with stakeholders is key. They’re integrating post-mining land use into their plans. They’re even lining up rezoning applications and new approvals alongside ESF2 submissions to unlock future land value and direct the relinquishment of the site towards a known beneficial reuse – which narrows the breadth of “what ifs” and options.

It’s about transitioning an asset, not just closing a liability.

Regulator Engagement Matters

One of the most underappreciated aspects of the process? Genuine Dialogue.

The best outcomes come when operators engage early and transparently with the regulator – presenting draft RARs, discussing land use transitions, and clarifying long-term residual risk management strategies.

These conversations aren’t about box-ticking—they’re about building alignment. When done well, they remove ambiguity, build confidence, and streamline the ESF2 process.

The Future of Mine Closure Is Professionalised

We’re entering an era where closure and relinquishment are treated with the same rigor as development and operations. It’s now a specialty and it requires project managers who can move across all technical issues and challenges. Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) are essential, but it’s much more than designing a cap, reviewing a landform, modelling water, or engaging with community—it’s about meshing it all together and managing risk.

That means:

• Project-managed relinquishment pathways
• Project governance and processes
• Detailed and dynamic risk assessments
• Dedicated specialists in spatial, rehab, risk, and land use
• Robust ITPs and digital evidence systems
• Transparent reporting and regulator engagement

It’s no longer enough to “rehab and hope.” Companies need to verify and validate – and they need to prove it with systems that hold up under scrutiny.

As more NSW operators edge closer to end-of-mine life, the conversation is shifting from “how do we comply?” to “how do we exit well?”

That’s not just a compliance challenge – it’s a reputational and strategic opportunity. And for those who get it right, relinquishment doesn’t mark the end, nor does it need to be made hard and drag on. Holding costs for mining leases are material, and care and maintenance does not mean no costs. It marks the handover to what comes next, whether that’s conservation, community benefit, or commercial redevelopment.

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 and other regions, vast tracts of land previously dedicated to extraction are now nearing or at the end of their operational life. What happens next will define not just landscapes, but regional economies, investment pipelines, and community futures.

The good news? NSW is well-positioned to lead the nation in defining what successful post-mining land use looks like.

While mine closure has historically been treated as a compliance task focused on stabilising slopes, replanting vegetation, and ticking regulatory boxes, it is increasingly being recognised as an opportunity to reshape regions for the better. But realising that opportunity requires a shift in mindset, backed by a coherent policy framework and coordination across agencies and stakeholders.

From my experience advising on closure projects across Australia and internationally, I believe NSW’s path forward hinges on five strategic imperatives.

1. Address the Residual Risk Barrier
2. Define Post Mining Land Use at the start, not the end
3. Coordinate the maze of Government Approvals
4. Build on the strategic momentum already underway
5. Learn from best practice across Australia and beyond.

1. Address the Residual Risk Barrier
The most persistent challenge in repurposing former mining land is the issue of residual risk. Even when a site is rehabilitated to meet regulatory requirements, uncertainty about long-term liabilities, such as tailings facilities, large dams, water quality in final voids, underground subsidence, or contamination. They can stall land handover indefinitely. This ambiguity deters both regulators and private investors.

NSW urgently needs a clear, proportionate framework to assess and manage these risks and, where appropriate, enable risk transfer mechanisms. Without this, many sites will remain in limbo, with potential unrealised.

2. Define Post-Mining Land Use at the Start, Not the End
A second, and often overlooked, challenge is the lack of early consensus on future land use. Too often, rehabilitation efforts are designed around technical parameters rather than a concrete vision for how land will be used post-mining. Is the goal agricultural productivity? Renewable energy generation? Biodiversity offsets? Community infrastructure?

Agreeing on this at the outset or during the operational phase of mining allows closure criteria to be tailored to real-world outcomes, streamlines approvals, and gives future users, whether developers, councils or the community, greater certainty. By achieving early approval for post mining land use enables the mining to partner with the developer and the “goal-posts” on hazards and risk are clearly defined. A pathway to approval certainty also makes investment attraction much easier.

3. Coordinate the Maze of Government Approvals
The complexity of the post-mining regulatory environment is well known. In NSW, responsibilities for closure touch at least a half-dozen agencies from Resources and Planning to the EPA and Water. With no single authority responsible for coordination, delays, duplication, and inconsistent advice are inevitable.

There is a strong case for a coordinating body perhaps a dedicated taskforce within a single Department with a clear remit to lead on post-mining land transition. This could include establishing a closure strategy review process at key planning and environmental assessment stages.

4. Build on Strategic Momentum Already Underway
NSW isn’t starting from scratch. The last 3-5 years has seen a material change in thinking and a real alignment to starting to strategically think about the post mining world. Not just by the miners, but by local governments, communities, think-tanks, Universities, now the wider community. For example, the Hunter Regional Plan 2041 explicitly addresses post-mining land use, highlighting the role of former mine sites in supporting energy transition and industrial innovation.

Meanwhile, the Hunter Joint Organisation (HJO) has developed a $20 million proposal to deliver:

• Place-based mine closure strategies
• A regional audit of mining lands and infrastructure
  \Master plans for legacy sites in Singleton, Muswellbrook, and Lake Macquarie

This local-regional alignment with state planning signals a shift in how mine closure is approached, not just as environmental remediation, but as part of long-term economic development.

5. Learn from Best Practice Across Australia and Beyond
WA and Queensland offer useful templates. In WA, closure planning must now include an agreed post-mining land use, while Queensland’s residual risk payment scheme (whilst not without its challenges) aims to offe a transparent way to manage liabilities after relinquishment. Canada and Germany also offer structured models for verification, transition governance, and post-closure funding.

NSW can adapt these lessons, but also improve upon them by ensuring local governments, mining companies and private developers are part of the planning conversation from the outset.

Post-mining land use is not just about safe closure; it’s about successful transition. NSW has the vision, the groundwork, and the regional leadership to become the benchmark in this space. What’s needed now is execution.

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 now will have a lasting impact on the country’s climate commitments, biodiversity outcomes, and transition to renewable energy.

While details remain to be seen, now is a key time for businesses, industry leaders and environmental practitioners to stay engaged and contribute to consultations as these policies evolve.

Where Are We Headed?

Here are the major themes and expectations shaping the road ahead:

• Climate Targets: The Government is holding the course on its net zero by 2050 ambition and 2030 emissions reduction target (43% below 2005 levels). The Climate Change Authority will guide the setting of a 2035 target, as required under existing law.
• Renewable Energy Push: Building on the Powering Australia Plan, the target remains for renewables to provide 82% of the National Electricity Market by 2030. The Government has pledged a further $8 billion in investment via the Clean Energy Finance Corporation to accelerate the shift to low-emissions technology – firmly opposing nuclear as an alternative.
• Nature Positive Reforms – Still in Play?: After ambitious reforms to the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (EPBC) Act stalled during Labor’s last term, it’s unclear how far the next wave of environmental reforms will go. That said, Prime Minister Albanese has confirmed that reform is still on the agenda, albeit in a revised form. Importantly, the commitment to biodiversity protection remains, supported by a $262 million pledge over five years to meet the ’30 by 30′ conservation target – protecting 30% of Australia’s land and marine areas by 2030.

A Look Back: Progress and Setbacks

In 2022, the Government outlined its Nature Positive Plan – the most significant proposed revamp of federal environmental laws since the EPBC Act came into effect over two decades ago. The reforms were based on Professor Graeme Samuel AC’s independent review and promised to reshape environmental governance, impact assessment, and biodiversity protection.

Only a fraction of this agenda was implemented:

• Nature Repair Market: Launched on 1 March 2025, this world-first legislated biodiversity credit scheme allows landholders and organisations to earn and trade biodiversity certificates by undertaking verified conservation and restoration activities.
• Water Trigger Expansion: Reforms extended the ‘water trigger’ under the EPBC Act to apply to all unconventional gas projects, strengthening protections for vital water systems.

Other key components – like the proposed creation of Environment Protection Australia and Environment Information Australia – were introduced to Parliament but ultimately shelved in early 2025 due to lack of Senate support.

Looking Forward: What Should We Expect?

Although the full legislative reform agenda remains uncertain, the outcome of the election appears to have strengthened Labor’s Senate position, which could open the door for further environmental legislation.

For now, we can expect:

• Continued momentum on renewable energy and emissions reduction;
• Selective engagement with environmental law reform, likely in consultation with states, industry, and environmental groups;
• Increased funding and focus on biodiversity outcomes through programs like the Nature Repair Market and 30 by 30 initiatives.

Why It Matters

The decisions made in the next few months will shape how Australia manages its natural assets, responds to climate risk, and positions itself in a decarbonising global economy. For businesses, there’s a real opportunity – and responsibility – to align with these shifts. Staying informed, participating in consultations, and preparing for regulatory changes will be key.

#Sustainability #NaturePositive #ClimatePolicy #EnvironmentalReform #Australia2030 #Biodiversity #NetZero #EnvironmentalLaw

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 changes embed Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) considerations, mine closure planning, and the structured use of multidisciplinary specialists into the core of public reporting for Exploration Results, Mineral Resources, and Ore Reserves.

Gone are the days when modifying factors could be treated as a footnote. The draft JORC Code signals that a project’s success is not just defined by geology and economics, but also by its social licence, environmental footprint, regulatory credibility, and long-term legacy.

Key Updates in the Draft JORC Code (2024)
1. Mandatory ESG Considerations in Public Reporting

The most prominent update is the introduction of mandatory ESG evaluation in all stages of reporting. ESG is now positioned as a core modifying factor—placing the onus on Competent Persons (CPs) to either directly assess, or transparently acknowledge, the ESG risks and opportunities that influence project outcomes.

What this means in practice:

• Environmental: Assessment of biodiversity impacts, water security, tailings and waste management, land disturbance, climate-related risks (e.g. flooding or bushfire), greenhouse gas emissions, and rehabilitation obligations.
• Social: Consideration of local and Indigenous community expectations, cultural heritage protections, landholder access, workforce capacity, housing impacts, and the project’s social licence to operate.
• Governance: Transparency regarding permitting pathways, compliance status, regulatory uncertainty, land tenure, and alignment with company governance structures and ESG performance frameworks.

Importantly, the Code does not expect every CP to be an ESG expert—but it does expect CPs to understand when ESG risks are material, and to engage recognised Specialists to fill those knowledge gaps. These ESG aspects will need to be explicitly described, not just assumed.

2. Mine Closure Is a Core Part of Reserve Evaluation

Another pivotal change is the formal integration of mine closure planning and liabilities into the Reserve estimation process. The Code makes clear that closure is not a distant event—it is a present-day risk that must be modelled and costed.

Competent Persons will now need to:

• Demonstrate that closure costs (progressive and final) have been quantified and factored into financial modelling
• Identify whether closure plans are approved, under development, or contested
• Account for the feasibility of relinquishment and any long-term monitoring obligations
• Assess how post-mining land uses align with community and regulatory expectations
• Consider whether residual risk could materially alter project viability, either technically or reputationally

Closure planning is no longer optional. It must now be aligned with life-of-mine scheduling, project valuation, and the narrative presented to markets.

3. Specialist Input is Mandatory, Not Just Preferred

The draft Code introduces an explicit requirement: if the Competent Person lacks competence in an area material to the project’s outcome, a named and qualified Specialist must be engaged, and their input clearly documented in the Public Report.

This includes (but is not limited to):

• ESG
• Tailings and water management
• Geotechnical risk
• Heritage and community engagement
• Closure planning
• Hydrogeology or groundwater modelling

This promotes transparency, prevents unqualified commentary, and ensures that assumptions are properly interrogated. The use of Specialists must be scoped, sourced, and declared—in other words, integrated into the reporting framework, not appended as an afterthought.

IEMA’s Role: Helping You Adapt and Thrive

At IEMA, we see this new Code as a welcome evolution, but not one that needs to be over complicated or adding multiple layers to the process. We’ve long believed that credible projects require more than strong geology—they demand strong governance, sound closure planning, and a clear understanding of community and environmental risk.

With decades of experience across exploration, operations, approvals, closure, and post-mining land use, our team offers more than technical input—we offer strategic perspective built on real-world project delivery.

We don’t just advise. We have walked in your shoes.

How We Help Clients Navigate the Draft JORC Code

• Integrated Risk Assessment We use structured frameworks to assess ESG, regulatory, and reputational risks early—helping you identify what matters most to Reserve classification, and ensuring modifying factors are fully substantiated.
• Closure Planning & Liability Management Our experts deliver costed closure plans, final landform concepts, progressive rehab strategies, and relinquishment pathways. We support mining clients in transforming closure from a compliance cost into a strategic advantage.
• Specialist Input & Validation From biodiversity and hydrogeology to tailings risk and heritage, we provide recognised Specialists who work closely with our team to support your Competent Persons. This collaborative model ensures your public reports are defensible and JORC-compliant—technically, socially, and environmentally.
• Strategic Reporting & Communications We help clients align internal studies, stakeholder strategies, and JORC reporting obligations into a single, cohesive narrative—reducing risk and improving investor confidence.
• Training, Mentoring & Peer Review Need to uplift capability within your team? We provide internal mentoring, technical peer review, and CP support to help organisations adapt to the Code’s expectations and embed them in business-as-usual.

Whilst the Code is in Draft with the public submissions being considered by the JORC committee, there is a real opportunity to get on the front foot and start to have conversations around what this means for your projects. Don’t wait till it drops and get in front of the curve on this issue.

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 NSW Legislative Council, Report No. 53 – Beneficial and Productive Post-Mining Land Use, argues that mine closure doesn’t have to mean abandonment. Instead, it lays out a bold case for something far more ambitious: turning former mine sites into engines of regional renewal.

“This is not just about planting grass and walking away,” the report suggests. “It’s about building energy precincts, housing, advanced manufacturing hubs, biodiversity corridors and even eco-tourism zones.”

The stakes are high. More than 30 coal mines are expected to close in NSW by 2040. Without reform, the state risks leaving behind stranded infrastructure, frustrated communities and squandered economic potential. But with the right changes? A very different picture emerges.

The Problem with the Status Quo

At the heart of the issue is a planning and regulatory system that hasn’t kept pace with the energy transition.

Under current laws, mine rehabilitation focuses almost entirely on environmental stability. The goal is to return land to a “safe, stable and sustainable” state — typically defined decades in advance, long before local economies and energy markets started shifting.

That rigidity, the report argues, is now a serious liability.

What’s Being Proposed

The committee’s recommendations, grounded in 77 submissions and six public hearings, offer a blueprint for change:

• A full legislative review of the Mining Act 1992 and Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 to support adaptive land use.
• Creation of Place Delivery Groups to coordinate regional planning and unlock development.
• Appointment of a Mine Rehabilitation Commissioner to lead cross-government efforts and cut through complexity.
• Incentives to support innovation — especially clean energy, circular economy projects and reuse of infrastructure.
• A skills audit and reskilling strategy to support communities as workforces shift from mining to emerging industries.

What Stakeholders Said: Insights from 77 Submissions

The NSW Legislative Council’s inquiry into post-mining land use received 77 submissions from a wide range of stakeholders — from local councils and mining companies to environmental groups and clean tech innovators. Here’s a breakdown of the key voices and their messages:

• Local Councils Representative submitters: Muswellbrook, Singleton, Lake Macquarie, Cessnock, Narrabri, Wollondilly Called for place-based planning models, zoning reform, infrastructure reuse, and earlier engagement in post-mining land use decisions.
• Mining Companies Representative submitters: BHP, Glencore, Yancoal, MACH Energy, Idemitsu Sought streamlined development consent processes, flexibility to modify final landforms, and greater support for repurposing mining assets.
• Industry Associations Representative submitters: NSW Minerals Council, AMEC, Property Council of Australia, Business Hunter Advocated for coordinated leadership, regulatory certainty, and investment-friendly frameworks to unlock beneficial reuse.
• Community and Environmental Groups Representative submitters: Lock the Gate Alliance, Nature Conservation Council, Wollar Progress Association Emphasised the importance of transparency, biodiversity restoration, community voice, and cultural heritage in land use planning.
• Research and Academia Representative submitters: CSIRO, CRC TiME, University of Newcastle (Institute for Regional Futures) Highlighted the need for evidence-based planning, regional economic visioning, integrated land strategies, and demonstration projects.
• Clean Tech and Energy Startups Representative submitters: Green Gravity, Gravitricity, ZEN Energy Proposed using mine voids and infrastructure for pumped hydro, gravity-based storage, hydrogen production, and clean energy innovation.
• Workforce & Unions Representative submitters: Mining and Energy Union, BCR Advisory, Australian Workers’ Union Stressed the urgency of workforce planning, job security, and retraining opportunities to support just and inclusive transitions.

What Becomes Possible: A Future-Focused Vision

By implementing the recommendations of this report, NSW can unlock transformational opportunities in six key domains:

1. Clean Energy Precincts Mine voids repurposed for pumped hydro. Solar and wind farms built on cleared land. Hydrogen hubs co-located with industrial users. Impact: Accelerate net-zero transition and attract regional investment.
2. Circular Economy and Critical Minerals Tailings reprocessed for rare earths. Recycling hubs established on industrial footprints. Old rail and road infrastructure repurposed for logistics. Impact: Create resilient supply chains and regional manufacturing jobs.
3. Regenerative Landscapes and Cultural Renewal Buffer zones rewilded. Country co-managed with Traditional Owners. Eco-tourism destinations built around heritage. Impact: Restore nature, empower culture, and diversify local economies.
4. Liveable Regional Development Zoning updated to allow new housing, health, and education precincts. Infrastructure investment aligned across government. “Legacy land” transformed into new communities. Impact: Ease regional housing pressure and boost construction sectors.
5. Reskilling and Employment Transitions Training centres launched in mining towns. Retraining tailored to new sectors like renewables and agritech. Long-term careers created — not just temporary jobs. Impact: Prevent social dislocation and build long-term regional resilience.
6. Global Leadership in Transition Strategy NSW becomes a case study in successful coal transition. Best practices exported to other jurisdictions. Funding, partnerships and R&D attracted through reform. Impact: Cement the state’s reputation as a leader in the net-zero economy.

Who Will Invest in Former Mine Sites — And How Do We Attract Them?

Reimagining post-mining land as a foundation for future industries will take more than vision — it will take investment. The potential is clear: clean energy hubs, circular economy facilities, industrial precincts, housing, tourism, and nature-based regeneration. But who funds these transformations, and how do we bring them to the table?

The answer: a diverse and growing network of domestic and global investors are actively looking for the kinds of opportunities that post-mining land presents — provided the groundwork is laid.

Energy and Infrastructure Investors

Renewable energy developers and infrastructure funds are seeking large, strategically located land parcels with access to the grid. Former mine sites, especially those with existing infrastructure like substations or water access, are ideal for solar, wind, pumped hydro, and hydrogen projects.

What these investors need is policy certainty, streamlined planning approvals, and a clear pathway to access and develop the land. With the right coordination, post-mining land can play a central role in delivering on Australia’s net-zero commitments.

Circular Economy and Resource Recovery

Another class of investors is emerging from the circular economy and resource recovery sectors. These firms are interested in repurposing mine tailings, recovering critical minerals, and establishing recycling hubs. Industrial footprints and rail-linked sites offer particular appeal — especially if state and local planning instruments support their reuse.

Engaging these players requires data transparency, site readiness, and demonstration of viable reuse models through pilot programs.

Property and Industrial Development

Some former mine sites, particularly those near regional growth corridors, are also catching the eye of property and industrial developers. These investors are interested in transforming land into logistics hubs, industrial estates, or even new residential precincts.

To unlock their interest, sites must be backed by a regional development vision, clear zoning pathways, and infrastructure planning that aligns with population and economic growth strategies.

Tourism, Conservation, and Cultural Enterprises

Rehabilitated mine sites with natural beauty, ecological value, or cultural significance have the potential to support eco-tourism ventures, nature reserves, or Indigenous-led cultural experiences.

Attracting investment in this space depends heavily on early engagement with Traditional Owners, clarity around land tenure, and recognition of the non-financial — but high-impact — value these projects can deliver.

Impact Investors and Global ESG Capital

Internationally, the appetite for investments that align with climate action, social equity, and environmental restoration is growing fast. These investors — from impact funds to philanthropic capital — are looking for projects with measurable outcomes and long-term partnerships.

They are particularly drawn to post-mining projects that demonstrate a clear social licence, strong community engagement, and alignment with just transition principles.

What It Takes to Unlock Investment

To attract these investors, NSW must do more than promote land. It must prepare it.

That means:

• Developing investment-ready precincts through coordinated planning and governance
• Providing clear regulatory pathways and flexible land use frameworks
• Offering transparent site data, infrastructure assessments, and risk mapping
• Backing strategic sites with government co-investment or incentive frameworks
• Fostering public-private-community partnerships with a shared vision for long-term benefit

Investment will not come because land is available — it will come because opportunity has been clearly defined, risk has been managed, and outcomes are aligned.

In post-mining regions, that alignment is now possible. What’s needed next is intent — and follow-through.

What Happens If We Don’t?

If NSW fails to act, it risks locking in decline:

• Stranded infrastructure decommissioned rather than reused.
• Rising unemployment and social dislocation in mining communities.
• Lost opportunity for biodiversity, reconciliation, and regional reinvention.
• Missed investment as policy uncertainty drives capital elsewhere.
• A leadership moment that could define NSW lost to hesitation.

“If we don’t seize this moment, we will have failed to turn the end of mining into the beginning of something better.” — Submission to the inquiry

Making It Happen: The Role of Each Stakeholder

The path to transformation will only succeed if everyone plays their part. Here’s what each stakeholder needs to do:

• Local Councils Lead place-based planning, reform local zoning, engage communities early, and unlock priority sites.
• Mining Companies Adapt final land uses, share site data, repurpose infrastructure, and co-invest in regional transition.
• NSW Government Deliver legislative reform, fund Place Delivery Groups, appoint a transition authority, and coordinate agency action.
• Industry Associations Advocate for reform, develop standards, bridge industry and government, and share lessons.
• Community and Environmental Groups Push for transparency, co-design land uses, lead local projects, and uphold accountability.
• Research Institutions Provide evidence, support innovation pilots, guide workforce programs, and track impact.
• Clean Tech Innovators Deploy solutions for energy and resource reuse, lead project development, and demonstrate viability.
• Workforce and Unions Protect jobs, shape reskilling efforts, and help communities navigate transition fairly.
• Investors and Developers Unlock private capital for post-mining precincts, partner with councils, and activate long-term value.

The Time to Act is Now

This isn’t just about mine closure. It’s about reframing regional NSW for the next century.

The reforms in Report No. 53 won’t be easy — but they are achievable. With strong leadership, aligned policy, and genuine community partnership, we can make post-mining land a platform for clean energy, regional development, and ecological renewal.

Let’s ensure that the legacy of coal is not just what we extracted — but what we built afterward.

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