This paper supplements the Commonwealth Model Mining Feasibility Study Guidelines by providing the conceptual underpinnings and governance frameworks required for their consistent interpretation and use.
See the Commonwealth Model Mining Feasibility Study Guidelines
Understanding Mining Feasibility Studies encourages governments to treat feasibility studies as more than mere technical documents. Rather, they are opportunities to understand and address the risks – including environmental liabilities, community concerns, unrealistic cost assumptions and infrastructure gaps – that often cause difficulties for even the most promising projects.
This paper – designed to support users of of the Commonwealth Model Mining Feasibility Study Guidelines – defines pre-feasibility studies and feasibility studies, and positions them within the overall project development process and wider institutional and regulatory frameworks; delineates the expected depth and quality of information; and highlights recurring limitations and risks that government reviewers should be prepared to assess. It also considers how regulators should assess each study, including typical constraints and the implications for permitting and oversight, and outlines expected levels of detail at each stage.
