The Upper Hunter Mining Dialogue (UHMD) was established in response to community concerns around the cumulative impacts of mining operations within the Hunter Valley region. Industry realised that the concerns raised were not specific to any one site and would need a collective response. Eight coal producers in the region engaged directly through the UHMD with community, environmental, and business groups, as well as local government.
Issues addressed included closure impacts, and what alternative land use options could be implemented to sustain the local communities after mining. Through stakeholder engagement, the UHMD has been instrumental in developing a vision of how the Upper Hunter will look post-mining.
The UHMD has built a venue for multi-stakeholder dialogues, and generated trust and support with communities, the government and mining companies. Through the UHMD community issues have been identified and addressed.
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Source: For a more detailed account of this case study please refer to ICMM’s Integrated Mine Closure – Good Practice Guide (p28)