This document establishes requirements and recommendations for managing mining legacies. It can be used by any public, private or community enterprise, or group, but is deemed particularly relevant to government and the mining industry who have a legal right or obligation to manage mining legacies.

This document encompasses a range of activities that are relevant to planning, implementing and stewardship, performance and reporting when managing mining legacies while engaging stakeholders throughout the process. It is applicable to all mining legacies from large complex sites to medium and small mines. It is also applicable to mining legacies in a range of climates, land uses and social contexts. Managing mining legacies can pose complex challenges that require high level support and clear responsibilities to ensure delivery of acceptable outcomes. The process of managing mine closure and reclamation for active mines is addressed in ISO 21795 series.