About the Program

The Abandoned Mines Program (AMP) began in 2015 following the enactment of the Mining Rehabilitation Fund Act (MRF Act) and release of the Western Australian Government’s Abandoned Mines Policy. The policy provides an overarching framework for the prioritisation and subsequent management and/or rehabilitation of abandoned mine sites. It requires that sites are prioritised with consideration to significant risks to the community and the environment, and that the potential value associated with a site is identified and protected.

Western Australia has a rich mining history stretching back to the mid-1800s. Thousands of abandoned mine features still exist across the State, including shafts, costeans, large pit voids and waste rock landforms. Many of these abandoned mine features have been captured in the Abandoned Mines Inventory.

The AMP develops and implements projects to rehabilitate abandoned mines in Western Australia using funds generated through the Mining Rehabilitation Fund.

Mining Rehabilitation Fund

The Mining Rehabilitation Fund (MRF) was introduced in 2013. It is the State’s first dedicated and perpetual fund for the rehabilitation and management of historical abandoned mines. The MRF was created as a pooled fund in which WA mining operators contribute yearly, removing the burden from the WA community to pay for the rehabilitation of abandoned mining operations.

Money in the fund is available to rehabilitate abandoned mines across the State in circumstances where the tenement holder/operator has failed to meet rehabilitation obligations and efforts to recover funds from the holder/operator have been unsuccessful. MRF Principal can be used to rehabilitate abandoned mine sites where tenement holders have contributed to the fund. Interest earned on fund contributions is used to fund the administration of the MRF and to undertake rehabilitation work on legacy abandoned mine sites throughout the State. Prioritised projects are endorsed by the Mining Rehabilitation Advisory Panel (MRAP), which provides expert and independent advice on project development.

MRF yearly reports outline the key activities and achievements of the MRF and AMP, and detail the progress of project work completed through the AMP.

Abandoned mines inventory

Geological Survey of Western Australia (GSWA) developed an inventory of abandoned mine site features within Western Australia between 1999 and 2011 (the abandoned mines inventory). The inventory survey work focused on those sites located within 10km of towns and within one km of major roads.

This comprehensive database contains a total of 189,530 mine site features throughout the state. Abandoned mines inventory data can be accessed from the Mines and Mineral Deposits (MINEDEX) database, via GeoVIEW.WA or TENGRAPH. A spatial dataset of the abandoned mines inventory is also available for download from the Data and Software Centre.

Access historic mine plans

Access to historical mine plans can be requested through the DEMIRS Safety Regulation Group for a complete history of mine activity that has occurred on a tenement.

AMP Strategic Plan

The AMP’s overarching vision is developed within the program’s Strategic Plan: ‘to be the leading practitioner in the management of abandoned mine features’. The AMP project planning framework utilizes strategic, outcome-based objectives and adaptive management to achieve long-term sustainable outcomes. The plan identifies key initiatives that will support the program’s execution, which are reviewed and implemented in line with annual budget development.

Vision

To be the leading practitioner in the management of abandoned mine features

Goal	Initiative	Progress - next 12 months	Progress - Towards 2029
1. Strategic approach We have a planned approach to our work where we are innovative and forward thinking and at the forefront of leading practice.	Review Mining Rehabilitation Fund Act 2012 (MRFA). Review of the Abandoned Mines Policy. Develop opportunities for Indigenous engagement in regional areas as part of AMP project execution.	Consider the implementation of recommendations of the MRFA legislative review relating to the AMP. Abandoned Mines Policy review undertaken in line with the recommendations from the MRFA Review. Provide opportunities for on Country employment and local Indigenous business though contracts awarded under the AMP, ensuring scopes provide flexibility for contractor engagement with local Traditional Owners; and through early stakeholder engagement to maximise or create potential opportunities.	Recommendations are actioned with legislative revision where required. Abandoned Mines Program implemented according to updated Policy and legislative requirement. Demonstrate increased opportunities created under the AMP projects for engagement and employment on Country.
2. Engagement Our Stakeholders understand our approach, are aligned with the project, policy and legislative intent and are engaged in the process; we are transparent and consistent in our approach.	Promote the work undertaken by the AMP; sharing learnings and project outcomes. Understanding AMP Prioritisation and project implementation. AMP Communication Plan.	Promote the Program through meeting external requests for media interview or presenting at conferences/workshops and via social media. Revised prioritisation approach available on the AMP web page. AMP communication strategy developed. Revision of the Communications Plan.	Program work and outcomes are well socialised and recognised externally. Prioritisation of AMP projects is transparent. Stakeholder engagement approach defined with plans updated upon completion of each project stage.
3. Planning We ensure MRF funds are optimised.	Five Year Plan (5YP) and Budget - Demonstrated financial management through annual planning and delivery of the 5YP.	5YP developed annually. Yearly plan reviewed quarterly. 5YP submitted annually.	MRF sustainable financial model developed to demonstrate robust longevity of the AMP.
4. Standards We have established standards for Abandoned Mine Features.	Technology lead approaches to identifying / quantifying risks associated with abandoned mine features. Leverage processes and standards established in other jurisdictions to inform AMP development of standards and work processes. Explore opportunities for industry to realise value from abandoned mine features.	Development and implementation of contemporary and tailored approaches in the identification and mitigation of risks associated with abandoned mine features. Benchmark with industry representatives - closure, industry working on legacy features - workshopping with industry on legacy management. Investigate potential value associated with mine overburden and tailings supporting the circular economy of mine residues.	Demonstrate remote landform monitoring platform to enable risk management associated with legacy tailings storage facilities. Demonstrate use of remote sensing applications in identifying and quantifying risk associated with silicate minerals (fibrous materials). Demonstrate use of remote sensing and drone applications in identifying and quantifying risk (geochemical and ground subsidence). Cross-jurisdictional learning/benchmarking - apply knowledge gained from experience in dealing with abandoned mines in other states to avoid unnecessary trials and potential rework in the implementation of projects. Value of identifying potential opportunities through programs such as MIWATCH has been evaluated and where possible implemented.
5. Safety Our safety requirements are well understood and practised.	All contracts executed by the AMP can be demonstrated to meet Work Health and Safety Act 2020 (WHS Act) requirements.	Analysis of safety management requirements under the WHS Act in line with AMP contracted activities under the MRFA.	Safety is a priority in everything we do and is championed by all our people. Work health and safety considerations are embedded into actions and decision making processes and can be demonstrated.