Digging deeper: Evaluating post-mining recovery policies in Ghana and Australia through the lens of sustainable livelihoods

Abstract

The rapid proliferation of abandoned mines worldwide underscores critical failures in mine closure governance. However, it remains unclear whether existing closure frameworks comprehensively address the multidimensional nature of community wellbeing and sustainable livelihoods. This paper applies the Sustainable Livelihoods Framework to evaluate mine closure and recovery policies in Ghana, Queensland, and Western Australia. A directed content analysis was conducted of 34 policy documents (both regulatory and non-binding) examining how six livelihood assets natural, financial, human, physical, social, and cultural are embedded. Results reveal that natural assets dominate policy attention across all jurisdictions while human assets remain minimally addressed. Despite sophisticated environmental recovery provisions, none adequately addresses integrated sustainable livelihoods, with critical enforceability distinctions limiting judicial review options when important provisions exist only in non-statutory guidance. The analysis identifies critical gaps in workforce transition, community benefit-sharing, and social planning, highlighting the need for holistic governance frameworks that balance environmental recovery with comprehensive livelihood support for sustainable post-mining transitions. We recommend policy reform to ensure closure frameworks address all livelihood assets simultaneously. Future research should focus on investigating regulatory loopholes enabling indefinite care and maintenance arrangements by mining companies rather than requiring full closure and recovery, as well as developing integrated assessment frameworks across all livelihood dimensions.