Analysis of Mine Closure Planning Practices at Medium-Scale Mining Operations in South West Nigeria

Mine closure planning is a professional and regulatory obligation that remains largely neglected among medium-scale mining operators in South West Nigeria. This study analyses the adequacy of mine closure planning at ten medium-scale quarry and mineral extraction operations in Osun, Ekiti, and Ogun states. A closure plan assessment was conducted using the International Council on Mining and Metals Mine Closure Toolbox framework, evaluating the completeness of closure objectives, progressive rehabilitation integration, stakeholder engagement provisions, financial provisions, and post-closure land use identification. Interviews with operations managers and environmental officers supplemented document review. Findings reveal that seven of the ten operations have no documented closure plan, and the remaining three have rudimentary plans that fail to address post-closure land use, financial assurance, or community transition impacts. The absence of closure planning is correlated with the failure to include rehabilitation cost provisions in operational budgets, creating a liability accumulation risk for the Nigerian state. The study proposes a graduated closure planning requirement scaled to operation size and stage, with a phased compliance timeline. Model closure plan outlines for different mining types are provided as a practical resource for operators. This research contributes to the limited body of closure planning literature focused on Nigeria's medium-scale mining sector. Keywords: mine closure planning, medium-scale mining, South West Nigeria, rehabilitation, financial assurance.