Inclusive Closure and Post-Mining Transition at the Golden Pride Mine, Tanzania

The Golden Pride Mine (GPM) in Tanzania, operated by Resolute Mining Limited from 1998 to 2013, serves as a model for inclusive mine closure. The process integrated early community engagement via Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA), progressive reclamation of land into Miombo woodlands, and the creation of a pit lake to provide a sustainable water source for local agriculture. While the site was successfully transitioned to the Mineral Resources Institute for training purposes, the 2022 status report indicates ongoing challenges with illegal small-scale mining and vegetation harvesting. The document recommends that governments mandate early engagement, adaptable land-use plans, and the establishment of multidisciplinary closure committees.

• The Golden Pride Mine (GPM) utilized a Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA) approach starting in 2000 to identify community needs and fund projects in health, education, agriculture, roads, water supply, and environmental awareness, providing approximately USD 300,000 annually.
• To address critical water needs for agriculture during the dry season, GPM constructed small dams in rural areas and converted the open pit into a pit lake to serve as a year-round water reservoir for irrigation and stock watering.
• Progressive reclamation began in the second year of mining operations, focusing on returning the site to a natural Miombo woodland setting. This approach allowed the mine to adapt its designs, such as adding rock chutes to prevent erosional gullies, and built trust with regulators and communities.
• As of mid-2022, the pit lake is filling faster than the initial 32-year projection, and while vegetation is maturing, the site faces significant challenges from illegal small-scale miners who are disrupting reclaimed waste rock piles and tailings storage areas.
• The document argues that governments should require mine operators to implement early and regular engagement, adaptable post-mining land-use plans, and the formation of multidisciplinary closure committees to ensure social and environmental stability.

APA

Stevens, R., (Sinclair), J. H., & Kasege, G. (2022). Inclusive Closure and Post-Mining Transition at the Golden Pride Mine, Tanzania. International Institute for Sustainable Development. https://www.iisd.org/system/files/2022-11/igf-case-study-golden-pride-mine-tanzania.pdf

Chicago

Stevens, Rob, Jackie Hartnett (Sinclair), and Gidion Kasege. Inclusive Closure and Post-Mining Transition at the Golden Pride Mine, Tanzania. International Institute for Sustainable Development, 2022. https://www.iisd.org/system/files/2022-11/igf-case-study-golden-pride-mine-tanzania.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Stevens |first1=Rob |last2=(Sinclair) |first2=Jackie Hartnett |last3=Kasege |first3=Gidion |title=Inclusive Closure and Post-Mining Transition at the Golden Pride Mine, Tanzania |publisher=International Institute for Sustainable Development |date=2022 |url=https://www.iisd.org/system/files/2022-11/igf-case-study-golden-pride-mine-tanzania.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{stevens2022inclusive, author = {Stevens, Rob and (Sinclair), Jackie Hartnett and Kasege, Gidion}, title = {{Inclusive Closure and Post-Mining Transition at the Golden Pride Mine, Tanzania}}, institution = {International Institute for Sustainable Development}, year = {2022}, url = {https://www.iisd.org/system/files/2022-11/igf-case-study-golden-pride-mine-tanzania.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }