Planning for life after a mine closes

Industry overview

What is shaping mining

Mining operations depend on a social licence from nearby communities as much as on permits. Safety culture, workforce welfare and transparent CSR shape how companies are seen locally and by regulators.

Community trust can make or break an operation
Safety culture is measured by behaviour, not policies
CSR spending is increasingly evaluated for real impact

Client background

A mining company preparing a closure plan, working in Canada. Client identity is withheld to protect confidentiality.

Organisation: A mining company preparing a closure plan
Sector: Mining
Team engaged: Market Research
Services: Qualitative research, Quantitative research, Government research

Client challenge

A mine that had supported a small town for decades was due to close within ten years. The company needed to understand residents’ concerns and aspirations to develop a responsible closure and transition plan. Residents worried about jobs, property values and the future of local services such as the school and clinic.

Research objectives

Deliver on the brief: planning for life after a mine closes.
Understand the views, needs and behaviour of residents.
Measure how widespread each pattern is, and explain the reasons behind it.
Give the client evidence it can act on within 10 weeks.

Target audience

The work focused on 900 residents.

residents900

Audiences we typically reach in mining

Host communitiesMine workers and contractorsLocal leaders and officialsRegulatorsCSR beneficiaries

Geographic coverage

Coverage: Canada. Market: Canada.

Canada

Research methodology

A mixed-method design: structured research measured how widespread each pattern was, and qualitative conversations explained why.

1Brief
2Community survey
3Workshops with local government and Indigenous representatives
4Insight

We surveyed residents about employment, services, land use and their hopes for the town after mining, and facilitated workshops with local government, businesses and Indigenous community representatives, respecting their consultation protocols. Workshops were held in community halls in the evenings, and summaries were shared publicly so residents could see how their views were recorded.

Qualitative researchQuantitative researchGovernment research

Sampling strategy

residents: 900

Respondents were selected across Canada using quotas set in advance for each location and respondent type, so no single area or group dominated.
Qualitative participants were recruited purposively to cover the full range of experiences that mattered, rather than for statistical representation.

Data collection

workshops: 6

Brief & design Sampling & set-up Fieldwork Analysis Reporting Indicative split of the 10-week timeline.

Trained local-language interviewers conducted interviews in person, supervised in the field.
Interviews and discussions were led by experienced moderators using a guide agreed with the client.

Data quality & validation

Back-checks on a share of completed interviews
Time and location checks on field interviews
Supervisor accompaniment in the field
Recordings and transcripts for every session
Re-screening of qualitative recruits
Logic and range checks on the final data
Work carried out under our ISO 20252 quality procedures

Data analysis

Cross-tabulation by key groups and locations
Significance testing on the differences that mattered
Thematic coding of interviews and discussions
Journey and decision mapping

Key findings

Residents prioritised retraining, protection of water sources and reuse of mine land for tourism and renewable energy.

Starting the conversation early gave the community time to shape its own future.

Recommendations

Build on the core insight: starting the conversation early gave the community time to shape its own future.
Share the findings with the teams closest to customers so they can act quickly.

Business impact

The company included these priorities in its closure plan and set up a joint transition committee.