Mine Closure Planning
Culturally Informed Mine Closure Planning
Mine closure planning is far more than an engineering or environmental exercise—it is a critical moment to ensure the cultural integrity of Country is protected long after operations cease.
Effective closure begins early, integrating cultural heritage considerations from the outset to prevent the loss of significant places, knowledge systems, and community rights. ACHM’s cultural heritage specialists bring decades of experience working with Traditional Owners, embedding cultural values, native title rights, and heritage protection protocols directly into closure frameworks. This approach ensures that closure strategies are not only technically sound but culturally defensible—supporting informed decision‑making, legal compliance, and respectful outcomes for the communities whose Country has sustained the mining lifecycle.
Cultural heritage is integral to mine closure because it anchors rehabilitation and future land use planning in the lived histories, identities, and aspirations of Traditional Owners. ACHM’s work across major closure projects demonstrates how culturally informed closure planning safeguards sites, maintains access rights, and provides pathways for long‑term community involvement in post‑mining land stewardship. By recognising that closure marks a transition rather than an ending, we help proponents build enduring legacies grounded in cultural resilience, intergenerational knowledge, and community‑supported land futures. This holistic approach reflects both regulatory expectations and best‑practice principles, ensuring closure outcomes honour Country, culture, and community in equal measure.
Why Choose ACHM
Experienced Team
Our senior native title anthropologists bring decades of expertise to every project.
Nationwide Reach
From urban developments to remote communities, we operate across Australia.
Reputation of Excellence
Trusted by clients for our professionalism, accuracy, and commitment to cultural preservation.
Case Studies
Testimonials
Sector Manager | Millar Merrigan
ACHM has consistently provided us with expert advice on Aboriginal cultural heritage matters, including the preparation of Cultural Heritage Management Plans. They’re great to work with—professional, competitively priced, and reliable in meeting timeframes. Their practical approach and responsiveness make them a valued partner on our projects.
Chief Executive Officer | Banjima Native Title Aboriginal Corporation
ACHM are engaged extensively across Banjima Country and they provide exceptional expertise, professionalism, customer service and a genuine passion for preserving and promoting cultural heritage. ACHM goes beyond mere consultancy through consistently delivering professional services, solutions and best practice in every thing they do.
Senior Development Manager | Dav Consulting
We recently engaged ACHM to manage extensive Cultural Heritage Artefact Salvage Operations for an expansive and complex greenfields development site on north side of Melbourne. The diligence, open communication, efficiency and positive outcomes achieved by the ACHM Team, including in their coordination and management of the local RAP, was first class, and made my job as Development Manager substantially easier. Cannot recommend highly enough
Senior Development Manager | Avid
I have been a client of ACHM for over a decade and have engaged their services across four large-scale projects. Throughout this time, their dedication and professionalism have remained consistently impressive. ACHM excels at managing client expectations while operating sensitively within complex environments. They are highly skilled at guiding clients through cultural heritage approval processes, striking the delicate balance between client priorities and cultural sensitivities. I highly recommend ACHM for their expertise and commitment.
ABIGroup
We wish to thank yourself, Erica Walther and Shaun Canning who have at all times been professional, free to discuss potential options and provide feedback on the status of the Cultural Heritage Management Plans. We have found the ACHM team to be knowledgeable and very easy to deal with.
Environmental Coordinator, GMW Connections Project
ACHM have provided us with numerous due diligence assessments and Cultural Heritage Management Plans to both standard and complex level. They approach their scope with our project timeframes and budgets in mind, and I know I can rely on them to get the best outcome for these projects. ACHM provide pragmatic staff with great traditional owner relationships allowing for quick turnaround times.
Sector Manager | Millar Merrigan
ACHM has consistently provided us with expert advice on Aboriginal cultural heritage matters, including the preparation of Cultural Heritage Management Plans. They’re great to work with—professional, competitively priced, and reliable in meeting timeframes. Their practical approach and responsiveness make them a valued partner on our projects.
Chief Executive Officer | Banjima Native Title Aboriginal Corporation
ACHM are engaged extensively across Banjima Country and they provide exceptional expertise, professionalism, customer service and a genuine passion for preserving and promoting cultural heritage. ACHM goes beyond mere consultancy through consistently delivering professional services, solutions and best practice in every thing they do.
Senior Development Manager | Dav Consulting
We recently engaged ACHM to manage extensive Cultural Heritage Artefact Salvage Operations for an expansive and complex greenfields development site on north side of Melbourne. The diligence, open communication, efficiency and positive outcomes achieved by the ACHM Team, including in their coordination and management of the local RAP, was first class, and made my job as Development Manager substantially easier. Cannot recommend highly enough
Senior Development Manager | Avid
I have been a client of ACHM for over a decade and have engaged their services across four large-scale projects. Throughout this time, their dedication and professionalism have remained consistently impressive. ACHM excels at managing client expectations while operating sensitively within complex environments. They are highly skilled at guiding clients through cultural heritage approval processes, striking the delicate balance between client priorities and cultural sensitivities. I highly recommend ACHM for their expertise and commitment.
ABIGroup
We wish to thank yourself, Erica Walther and Shaun Canning who have at all times been professional, free to discuss potential options and provide feedback on the status of the Cultural Heritage Management Plans. We have found the ACHM team to be knowledgeable and very easy to deal with.
Environmental Coordinator, GMW Connections Project
ACHM have provided us with numerous due diligence assessments and Cultural Heritage Management Plans to both standard and complex level. They approach their scope with our project timeframes and budgets in mind, and I know I can rely on them to get the best outcome for these projects. ACHM provide pragmatic staff with great traditional owner relationships allowing for quick turnaround times.
Need Expert Cultural Heritage Support for Your Project?
ACHM is here to help. Call us today on 1300 724 913 or email us for more information.