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
Yapo Allé-Ando
Principal Water Stewardship
Okane Consultants, Canada
Yapo is a professional engineer based in Vancouver, Canada, with close to 20 years’ experience in mine water management and water stewardship across the Americas and Africa. Leading Okane’s water stewardship solution, Yapo’s technical expertise in mine water management includes strategic planning, infrastructure design, water balance modelling, climate studies, and hydrology impacts. Additionally, he brings extensive knowledge in water strategy, policy, governance frameworks, management standards, and sustainability development initiatives.
Ben Freidman
Senior Closure Consultant and Geochemist
Okane Consultants, Australia
Ben is an environmental specialist based in Brisbane. He has over 12 years’ experience in environmental management and consulting, regulation (NSW EPA), project management and the provision of technical environmental advisory services. Ben’s specialist areas include mine rehabilitation and closure planning, contaminated site investigation, management and remediation, and waste and circular economy. Ben has onsite mine closure and rehabilitation experience with Energy Australia at Yallourn Coal Mine in Victoria’s Latrobe Valley, and community engagement and stakeholder management. Ben has undertaken soil and landform stability assessments (involving detailed physical, biological and chemical analysis of topsoil and subsoil) around Mount Isa and in the Bowen Basin.
Dr Ingrid Meek
Principal Technical Lead – Rehabilitation and Reclamation
Okane Consultants, Australia
Ingrid is a PhD qualified environmental professional with over 20 years’ experience in the mining industry, specifically in the Northern Territory and Queensland. She is a recognised specialist in mine site rehabilitation, closure planning and execution. Her extensive experience spans various fields, including assurance, closure planning and estimation, strategic land management of mine sites, rehabilitation programs, stakeholder engagement, regulatory compliance, leadership of operations teams, risk and hazard assessment, and project management. Additionally, Ingrid is 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.
Mike O’Kane
Senior Technical Advisor
Okane Consultants, Canada
Mike is a senior technical advisor based in Calgary, Canada. Mike applies technical expertise and knowledge on risk management best practices as tools for development and communication of project objectives and designs. He provides subject matter expert reviews for numerous government and private agencies while also being a member of multiple advisory panels. Mike serves as a director of the Landform Design Institute and chair of its Technical Advisory Panel.
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. From exploration to mine closure, Darren’s expertise includes leading closure planning processes and developing conceptual (IPS), pre-feasibility (SPS), and feasibility (DPS) 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 in Queensland, Canada, and Western Australia. His foundational studies in geographical science and environmental management have given him a broad understanding of landscape features and processes. Darren also has extensive knowledge of mining industry legislation, which will be leveraged to help guide the monitoring installation project.
James Tuff
Senior Lead Geochemistry
Okane Consultants, Australia
James is a geologist with expertise in geochemistry, materials science, and hydrogeology. He brings extensive experience in internal and external communications, as well as project management across government (state and federal) and diverse stakeholder groups. He also holds an international standard publishing and reviewing record. James’ career as a geoscientist has focused on understanding the dynamics of our planet and minimising and mitigating impacts to help protect the planet. He is committed to achieving this through scientific excellence, professional integrity, and collaborating with stakeholders to achieve goals sustainably.