How does the Code address closure costs and financial assurance?
The Code requires that certified gold mining operations plan and implement procedures for effective decommissioning of cyanide facilities to protect human health‚ wildlife and livestock. Decommissioning is defined as the activities conducted at the cessation of gold production to treat‚ neutralize or otherwise manage cyanide reagent and process solutions remaining in storage and production facilities in preparation for closure so that they do not present a risk to people‚ wildlife or the environment due to their cyanide content. Decommissioning includes decontamination of equipment‚ removal of residual cyanide reagents‚ rinsing of heap leach pads and installation of measures necessary for control or management of surface or ground water‚ such as pumping and treatment systems that would operate during the facility’s closure period. The Code also requires that certified gold mining operations establish an assurance mechanism capable of fully funding cyanide-related decommissioning activi
