Mine closure is becoming one of the most significant environmental, regulatory, governance and financial priorities facing Western Australia's resources sector.

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As the industry prepares for 2030 and beyond, mining organisations are increasingly expected to plan for closure earlier, demonstrate effective progressive rehabilitation, manage long-term environmental risks and provide confidence that post-mining landscapes can be safely, sustainably and responsibly managed.

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Recent Mines & Environment Executive forums have examined key strategic and technical challenges associated with mine closure, including groundwater recovery, rehabilitation, environmental stewardship, closure liabilities and long-term environmental management.

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These discussions, supported by ongoing engagement with mining companies, environmental specialists, hydrogeologists, environmental lawyers, researchers and industry leaders, have highlighted an important priority: greater clarity around mine closure approval pathways, legislative requirements and the respective responsibilities of regulatory agencies.

In response, Mines & Environment Executive has developed the Government & Industry Mine Closure Roundtable – Creating Greater Regulatory Certainty.

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This focused executive forum will bring together key Western Australian government agencies and senior industry leaders to examine how the mine closure regulatory framework operates in practice and where greater understanding, coordination and engagement can support more effective closure planning and environmental outcomes.

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Government participation will include representatives from:

• Department of Mines, Petroleum and Exploration (DMPE)

• Department of Water and Environmental Regulation (DWER)

• Department of Energy and Economic Diversification (DEEDS)

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Rather than a traditional conference, the Forum has been designed as an interactive executive roundtable, enabling government, industry and specialist advisers to exchange perspectives, address areas of uncertainty and consider practical approaches to mine closure that are environmentally responsible, science-based and legally robust.

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THE EXECUTIVE DISCUSSION
Navigating Mine Closure Approvals
Clarifying Regulatory Roles, Legislative Responsibilities & Approval Pathways

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A central focus of the Roundtable will be understanding how regulatory responsibilities and approval pathways operate across the mine lifecycle, particularly where the responsibilities of multiple government agencies intersect.

Discussion will explore:

• The respective roles and responsibilities of DMPE, DWER and DEEDS

• The interaction between mining and environmental legislation

• Mine closure approval pathways and regulatory interfaces

• Areas where proponents may encounter overlapping or sequential requirements

• Opportunities to improve coordination across government and industry

• The role of earlier engagement in supporting more effective planning and decision-making

• Future regulatory and environmental expectations towards 2030 and beyond

• The discussion will provide delegates with a broader understanding of how the approval framework operates across agencies and what this means for long-term mine closure planning.

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PREPARING FOR 2030
Environmental Stewardship, Legal Obligations & Long-Term Planning

Mine closure requires organisations to consider environmental, legal, governance and financial responsibilities well before operations cease.

The Roundtable will examine how these responsibilities are influencing closure strategies and the decisions being made today, including consideration of:

• Progressive rehabilitation and life-of-mine planning

• Groundwater recovery and long-term environmental management

• Environmental law and evolving legal obligations

• Closure liabilities and financial provisioning

• Environmental stewardship and rehabilitation performance

• ESG, governance and organisational accountability

• Long-term post-mining environmental outcomes

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The discussion will consider how organisations can better integrate these considerations into mine planning as expectations continue to evolve towards 2030 and beyond.

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CREATING GREATER REGULATORY CERTAINTY
Government & Industry Executive Roundtable

The central facilitated Roundtable will provide an opportunity for government representatives, environmental law specialists and senior industry leaders to openly discuss the practical issues influencing mine closure planning and approvals.

Rather than a series of presentations, delegates will be encouraged to contribute questions, perspectives and practical experience to the discussion.

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Executive Discussion Themes

• Greater certainty in mine closure approvals

• Regulatory and legislative responsibilities

• Coordination across approval pathways

• Earlier and more effective engagement

• Environmental law and emerging expectations

• Long-term closure and rehabilitation planning

• Government–industry collaboration

• Science-based and legally robust decision-making

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The aim is to move beyond identifying challenges and focus on practical opportunities to strengthen understanding and support effective, environmentally responsible mine closure outcomes.

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Who should attend? 

The Government & Industry Mine Closure Roundtable has been developed for senior executives, decision-makers and technical leaders with responsibility for mine closure, environmental approvals, rehabilitation, environmental risk and long-term planning.

The Forum will be particularly relevant to:

• General Managers and Heads of Environment

• Mine Closure Managers and Closure Planning Leaders

• Environmental Managers and Senior Environmental Advisers

• Approvals and Regulatory Affairs Leaders

• Sustainability and ESG Executives

• Rehabilitation and Closure Specialists

• Mining and Resources Executives

• Government and Regulatory Representatives

• Environmental Lawyers and Legal Counsel

• Hydrogeologists and Groundwater Specialists

• Environmental and Mine Closure Consultants

• Technical Directors and Principal Consultants

• Risk, Governance and Financial Provisioning Leaders

• Researchers and academics specialising in mine closure, rehabilitation and environmental science

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It will be particularly valuable for organisations developing or reviewing mine closure plans, undertaking progressive rehabilitation, navigating environmental approvals, assessing closure-related liabilities or preparing for long-term environmental obligations.

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Why attend? 

The Roundtable offers senior professionals an opportunity to engage directly with the regulatory, legal and environmental issues shaping mine closure in Western Australia.

Delegates will have the opportunity to:

• Hear directly from government and senior industry representatives

• Gain greater insight into approval pathways and regulatory interfaces

• Better understand how legislative and agency responsibilities interact

• Explore emerging environmental and legal expectations

• Discuss practical approaches to closure, rehabilitation and long-term environmental management

• Contribute to a constructive government–industry dialogue on the future of mine closure

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Attendance is strictly limited to 40 executive delegates, creating an environment designed for meaningful discussion, audience participation and high-quality engagement.

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EXECUTIVE NETWORKING -  Continue the Conversation at The Reveley Rooftop

Following the Roundtable, delegates and invited guests will have the opportunity to continue conversations and build industry connections in an informal networking environment overlooking Elizabeth Quay.

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5.30pm – 7.30pm
The Reveley Rooftop
Eastern Promenade, The Towers at Elizabeth Quay, Ophir Walk

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Can't attend the Roundtable Forum?  - You can book the networking session separately

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The evening provides an opportunity to connect with professionals working across mining, mine closure, environmental regulation, environmental law and long-term environmental management.

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Executive Networking can be booked separately, allowing colleagues and industry professionals who are unable to attend the afternoon Roundtable to join the evening function.