Post-Closure Community Development
Mines tend to operate for several years, if not decades. Without proper planning, however, there is a significant risk that social conditions in local communities will degrade at mine closure if a disproportionate dependency on mining has developed.71 Laws are needed to help ensure that communities are well positioned to avoid developing an exclusive dependency on mining-related revenues. Although there are many alternatives for promoting longer-term benefits for local communities after mining activities end, 72 this section focuses on two alternatives which are promoted by laws in other jurisdictions: research and development, and local manufacturing.