A mineral resource exploitation's feasibility should be evaluated by its opportunity cost. When properly practiced, technically, environmentally and socially, mining generates income, employment and benefits to society. Although mining companies are required to present and implement a PRAD (a mine closure plan), Brazil lacks a regulatory system to address mine closure issues;in particular, financial guarantee to assure that the necessary resources for closure will be available at the end of the mine's life cycle, regardless of the operator's financial position at closure. Financial guarantee for mine closure and post closure is simply a guarantee that the closure plan will be implemented. Financial guarantee is designed to protect the community from environmental liabilities at mine closure. This paper evaluates the impact of financial guarantee in the feasibility of a large mine operation in Minas Gerais State.
Mineral economy; mine closure; financial guarantee; mineral politics; feasibility
