Presentation of the ISRM mine closure state of the art report

International audienceIn 2005, Prof. Nielen Van der Merwe, at that time President of the ISRM, initiated a commission to facilitate the constitution of an international network of experts involved in mine closure and post-mining management. Eight experts coming from different countries have been deeply involved in this ISRM 'mine closure commission', for four years. Closure of mining operations does not lead to the complete elimination of risks likely to affect the surface above old mine workings. Therefore, disorders potentially harmful for people and goods may develop, sometimes just after the closure but also, in some cases, long time after. The first mandate of the commission has been dedicated to the elaboration of a state-ofthe- art report presenting, at an international scale, the mine closure problem (context, main risks of disorders, major hazard assessment methods and treatment techniques). The present paper presents an outline of this ISRM report that members may download on the ISRM website