Sustainable Post-Mining Land Use: Are Closed Metal Mines Abandoned or Re-Used Space?

Abstract

Sustainable land use in post-mining areas has received more attention only recently. This study examined landscape characteristics and post-mining land use in 51 metal mining sites in Finland. Studied mines were closed during the period of 1924-2016, and over half of them had been active more than 10 years. Mines were typically located in sparsely populated forest landscapes. Cultural and recreational functions were found in one third of the sites, especially in significant historical mining areas close to the population centers. Further, nearly one third of the post-mining sites included new activities related to industry and infrastructure. The diversity of post-mining functions was generally limited in small and isolated sites. Re-opening of five closed mines was planned or under development, and exploration permits (or claims) were applied or admitted for half of the post-mining areas. The results showed that every closed mine is unique and thus, sustainable post-mining land use requires careful evaluation of potentials and limitations (e.g., contamination and other hazards) of the sites. Increasing sizes of new mining projects calls for paying more attention on future post-mining landscapes in order to avoid degraded and underused areas from environmental, social and economic perspectives.

Appraisal of Strategies for Dealing with the Physical Hazards of Abandoned Surface Mine Excavations: A Case Study of Frankie and Nyala Mines in South Africa

“…The major concerns of the surface mine excavations are safety, health hazards, and the visual appearance of the landscape [26][27][28]. According to Tsolaki-Fiak et al [29] and Misthos et al [30], the appearance of surface excavation and/or quarrying sites with contrasting colours on the landscape turns to reduce the aesthetic appeal of the landscape, thus, resulting to the deterioration of the scenic quality of the area.…”

Macronutrients and heavy metals contents in the leaves of trees from the devastated lands at Kryvyi Rih District (Central Ukraine)

“…Devastated lands, formed as a result of human activity, occupy vast areas: more than 2,000,000 ha worldwide, about 200,000 ha in Ukraine and about 100,000 ha in Germany [14,16,21]. These lands are as pollution sources for the atmosphere, soil, surface water.…”

Metal Content of Stream Sediments as a Tool to Assess Remediation in an Area Recovering from Historic Mining Contamination

“…Abandoned mines are a worldwide concern because of the physical and chemical contamination hazards associated with them, such as soil erosion, mineshaft collapse, and contamination of soil and water [1,2]. Remediation of abandoned mines aims to restore the land to either its use prior to mining or to an alternative sustainable use that would attain esthetic, economic, and ecological values to the land [3].…”