Abstract Integration of environmental assessment tools has long been promoted as best practice with the potential to bring environmental benefits. In this research, we set out to evaluate the effectiveness of integration of environmental impact assessment (EIA) and mine closure planning using a simple effectiveness criteria framework, applied to current regulatory provisions and practices in Western Australia. The effectiveness criteria for the integration of EIA and mine closure planning, compiled from existing reviews of integration and effectiveness concepts in the impact assessment literature, considers procedural, transactive, substantive effectiveness and overall process legitimacy. Data analysis consisted of a literature review, examination of regulatory and guidance material and interviews with 12 experienced EIA and/or mine closure practitioners with an industry or regulatory focus. The results provide strong, positive examples of procedural, transactive and substantive effectiveness due to the integrated framework. These include behavioural changes, improved knowledge and learning and better provision for closure at an early stage of mine planning. A trajectory of improvement was noted by everybody interviewed. However, a key driver for effectiveness is the enthusiasm of key facilitations, and tension exists due to the different motivations of the two lead regulatory agencies which poses a challenge for the integrated framework. While it can reasonably be argued that the effectiveness of early mine closure planning cannot yet be realised, due to a paucity of completely closed mines in Australia this study nevertheless demonstrates clear benefits and opportunities result from early stage integration of EIA with mine closure planning.

中文翻译：

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评估整合环境影响评估和矿山关闭规划过程的有效性

摘要 环境评估工具的整合长期以来被认为是具有潜在环境效益的最佳实践。在这项研究中，我们开始使用简单的有效性标准框架来评估环境影响评估 (EIA) 和矿山关闭规划整合的有效性，该框架适用于西澳大利亚州当前的监管规定和实践。EIA 和矿山关闭规划整合的有效性标准，根据对影响评估文献中整合和有效性概念的现有审查编制而成，考虑了程序性、交易性、实质性有效性和整体过程的合法性。数据分析包括文献综述、检查监管和指导材料，并与 12 位经验丰富的 EIA 和/或矿山关闭从业者面谈，他们专注于行业或监管。由于综合框架，结果提供了程序性、交易性和实质性有效性的有力、积极的例子。这些包括行为改变、知识和学习的提高以及在矿山规划的早期阶段为关闭提供更好的条件。接受采访的每个人都注意到了改进的轨迹。然而，有效性的一个关键驱动因素是关键促进因素的积极性，并且由于两个主要监管机构的不同动机而存在紧张关系，这对综合框架构成了挑战。虽然可以合理地认为早期矿山关闭计划的有效性尚无法实现，