SITUACIÓN ACTUAL RESPECTO AL GRADO DE PREPARACIÓN EN CIERRE DE MINAS: ¿CÓMO ESTÁN LOS GOBIERNOS EN ESTE SENTIDO?

This briefing by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) evaluates the readiness of governments to manage mine closures and post-mining transitions. Based on a 2019-2020 survey of 17 countries and 14 Mining Policy Framework (MPF) assessments, the document finds that while governments recognize the importance of mine closure, many lack the necessary policies, financial instruments, and technical capacity to implement them effectively.

• A significant number of governments lack the necessary policies and capacity to manage mine closures, despite recognizing their importance. The document notes that many governments do not have the "políticas, las regulaciones, los instrumentos de implementación o la capacidad para administrar los cierres de minas."
• While 76% of surveyed jurisdictions require a formal mine closure plan, the quality and scrutiny of these plans vary greatly. In some cases, plans are "breves, de alto nivel y poco detallados" and are reviewed by staff who lack sufficient experience in environmental or social management.
• Financial assurance requirements are widespread but often insufficient; 86% of jurisdictions require some form of financial guarantee, but only 45% require that the guarantee cover the total estimated closure costs. This creates a risk where the financial responsibility for solving environmental problems may fall on the government.
• Community participation in mine closure planning is inconsistent. In 37% of jurisdictions, communities did not participate in any way, and only 23% reported a high level of participation. Additionally, 41% of jurisdictions lack laws or policies promoting the consideration of social transitions and community impacts.
• There is a critical lack of record-keeping regarding closed mines. 75% of surveyed jurisdictions do not maintain an adequate record of the number of mines that have closed or had their permits revoked, leading to a loss of important information and lessons learned.
• Governments face several systemic obstacles to mine closure readiness, most notably a lack of financial capacity and human resources. This is exacerbated by a shortage of direct experience in mine closure and a lack of integration between ministries responsible for closure and environmental management.
• Regulations regarding the final abandonment and return of closed mines to the government or landowner are often unclear, even in advanced jurisdictions like Canada or Australia. Only 38% of countries have laws addressing long-term residual risks or financial guarantees that cover such risks.

APA

Stevens, R. (2021). SITUACIÓN ACTUAL RESPECTO AL GRADO DE PREPARACIÓN EN CIERRE DE MINAS: ¿CÓMO ESTÁN LOS GOBIERNOS EN ESTE SENTIDO? International Institute for Sustainable Development. https://www.iisd.org/system/files/2021-08/status-mine-closure-readiness-es.pdf

Chicago

Stevens, Rob. SITUACIÓN ACTUAL RESPECTO AL GRADO DE PREPARACIÓN EN CIERRE DE MINAS: ¿CÓMO ESTÁN LOS GOBIERNOS EN ESTE SENTIDO? International Institute for Sustainable Development, 2021. https://www.iisd.org/system/files/2021-08/status-mine-closure-readiness-es.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Stevens |first1=Rob |title=SITUACIÓN ACTUAL RESPECTO AL GRADO DE PREPARACIÓN EN CIERRE DE MINAS: ¿CÓMO ESTÁN LOS GOBIERNOS EN ESTE SENTIDO? |publisher=International Institute for Sustainable Development |date=August 2021 |url=https://www.iisd.org/system/files/2021-08/status-mine-closure-readiness-es.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{stevens2021situacin, author = {Stevens, Rob}, title = {{SITUACIÓN ACTUAL RESPECTO AL GRADO DE PREPARACIÓN EN CIERRE DE MINAS: ¿CÓMO ESTÁN LOS GOBIERNOS EN ESTE SENTIDO?}}, institution = {International Institute for Sustainable Development}, year = {2021}, month = aug, url = {https://www.iisd.org/system/files/2021-08/status-mine-closure-readiness-es.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }