Managing Coal Mine Closure Achieving a Just Transition for All

This resource guide, Managing Coal Mine Closure: Achieving a Just Transition for All, synthesises over two decades of World Bank experience and global lessons to assist governments, enterprises, and communities in navigating the inevitable contraction of the coal sector. As global energy markets shift—driven by mechanisation, climate policies, and the increasing viability of alternative energy—millions of coal workers face job losses, often with devastating socioeconomic impacts on "mono-industry" regions.

The guide outlines a framework for a "Just Transition for All" designed to mitigate these shocks through strategic planning, stakeholder collaboration, and evidence-based support. The approach is organised around three core pillars:

• Policies and Strategy Development: Emphasises the need for clear, long-term policy direction, high-level coordination between agencies, and the establishment of dedicated mine closure institutions to streamline physical and social interventions.
• People and Communities: Focuses on the human element, advocating for pre-layoff planning, temporary income support, and active labor market policies (such as retraining, counselling, and mobility assistance) to help workers transition to productive new employment.
• Land and Environmental Remediation: Stresses that environmental reclamation must be addressed from the outset of mine planning, utilising robust financial assurance mechanisms to guarantee that necessary funding is available for land restoration and the mitigation of legacy issues.

By prioritising continuous dialogue and early preparation, policymakers can better navigate the complexities of coal mine closure, ultimately helping affected regions and their populations move toward a more sustainable economic future.