Associated Event
15–17 September 2026 | Sofitel Melbourne On Collins, Melbourne, Australia
Executable Closure Plans: Is What You Have What You Need? Workshop
18 September 2026 | Melbourne, Australia
Workshop Overview
This workshop will address the importance of having an ‘executable’ closure plan, based on the adoption of site-specific design principles, processes and controls early in the mine life cycle.
Focus will be given to development and application of integrated, conceptual closure models that prioritise operational efficiency and environmental stewardship by designing with the future in mind.
This will be informed by collaboration, research, and adaptability to evolving industry standards.
By leveraging conceptual models site operators can develop planning, execution, and closure strategies that are transparent, backed by data and technical studies, and align project outcomes with regulatory, environmental, and investment objectives.
Program*
*Program may be subject to change
Workshop Presenters
Mike O’Kane
Senior Technical Advisor
Okane Consultants, Canada
Mike is a senior technical advisor based in Calgary, Canada, with over 27 years’ experience in integrated mine planning and closure planning. Leveraging his deep expertise in risk management, he helps clients transform complex technical challenges into clear, actionable project objectives and designs.
Mike provides subject matter expert reviews for numerous government and private agencies, and serves on multiple advisory panels across Australia and Canada. He is also the director of the Landform Design Institute and chair of its Technical Advisory Panel. As an expert mine planner and closure practitioner, Mike effectively communicates mine and closure risks and opportunities to help clients optimise both operational and closure outcomes.
Dr James Tuff
Senior Lead Geochemistry
Okane Consultants, Australia
James is a PhD-qualified geologist, based in Brisbane, with expertise in geochemistry, materials science, and hydrogeology. He brings extensive experience in internal and external communications, as well as project management across government bodies and diverse stakeholder groups. He also holds an international standard publishing and reviewing record. As a geoscientist, James focuses on understanding the dynamics of our planet and helps clients minimise and mitigate impacts that support environmental stewardship. He works with clients, rightsholders, and stakeholders to apply scientific excellence and deliver practical solutions that support informed decision-making and responsible project development.
Dr Ingrid Meek
Principal Technical Lead – Rehabilitation and Reclamation
Okane Consultants, Australia
Ingrid is a PhD-qualified environmental professional with over 25 years’ experience in the mining industry, specifically in the Northern Territory and Queensland, for mining companies including Rio Tinto, ERA, Glencore and BHP-Billiton. As a recognised specialist in mine site rehabilitation and closure planning and execution, Ingrid leads Okane’s Rehabilitation and Reclamation group, guiding clients through practical strategies that deliver effective and science-backed closure outcomes.
She brings extensive experience across restoration ecology, completion criteria, vegetation monitoring, seed and weed management, soil management, operational rehabilitation practices, closure planning and estimation, land management strategies, community engagement, regulatory approvals and compliance, risk and hazard assessments, and project management. Ingrid is also a Chartered Professional (Environment) with the Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy (AusIMM) and is a past chair of the AusIMM Social and Environment Society Committee.
Darren Springer
Senior Closure Consultant
Okane Consultants, Australia
Darren is a senior closure consultant based in Perth with over 20 years’ international experience in mining, metals, upstream petroleum and gas, and agriculture; with companies including Rio Tinto and BHP. From exploration to mine closure, Darren’s expertise includes leading closure planning processes and developing conceptual, pre-feasibility, and feasibility phase studies. His experience extends to capital expenditure studies, greenfield and brownfield expansions, creek diversions, tailings storage facilities, closure planning to execution, remediation of legacy sites, rehabilitation and evaluation of closure maturity, site compliance, mining projects, mining studies, and construction projects.
Through various roles in the mining industry, Darren has led teams to deliver approvals baseline studies across Queensland, Western Australia, and Canada. His background in geographical science and environmental management provides a strong understanding of landscape features and processes. Darren also brings extensive knowledge of mining industry legislation, which he applies to help guide monitoring installation projects.
Dr Ben Freidman
Senior Closure Consultant and Geochemist
Okane Consultants, Australia
Ben is a PhD-qualified environmental specialist, based in Brisbane, with over 12 years of experience in environmental management, consulting, regulation (New South Wales Environment Protection Authority), project management, and technical environmental advisory services. He helps clients achieve practical, compliant, and responsible outcomes in specialised areas, including mine rehabilitation and closure planning, contaminated site investigation, management and remediation, and waste and circular economy.
With experience in mine closure and rehabilitation projects, including work with Energy Australia at Yallourn Coal Mine in Victoria’s Latrobe Valley, Ben helps projects meet regulatory requirements while fostering community engagement and stakeholder collaboration. He has led soil and landform stability assessments across regions such as Mount Isa and the Bowen Basin, providing detailed physical, biological, and chemical analysis of topsoil and subsoil to guide effective environmental management.
Yapo Allé-Ando
Principal Water Stewardship
Okane Consultants, Canada
Yapo is a professional engineer based in Vancouver, Canada, with nearly 20 years’ experience in mine water management and water stewardship across the Americas and Africa. Leading Okane’s water stewardship solution, Yapo combines technical expertise in strategic planning, infrastructure design, water balance modelling, climate studies, and hydrology impacts with his deep knowledge of water policy, governance frameworks, management standards, and sustainability development initiatives.
He is passionate about equipping clients with the tools and insights they need to make informed decisions on managing mine water that consider their risk profiles, regulatory requirements, and source control design principles, as well as their operational and environmental objectives.