Mining as a temporary land use: industry-led transitions and repurposing

Sarah Holcombe and Julia Keenan


Post-mining land use and associated economies have become a priority issue in mine lifecycle planning. This scoping project starts from the position that reconceptualising mine ‘closure’ may enhance the industry’s contribution to sustainable development.

This project reframes mining as a temporary land use, which positions post-mining land use as intrinsic to the mine lifecycle, including the planning and operational phases. Rehabilitation and restoration during operations tend to have a narrower remit, and focus on returning sites to their pre-mining state, which in many cases of large-scale, open-cut mines is unrealistic.

The primary focus is on identifying examples of post-mining repurposing of land and related economic transitions that are being led by industry. Transitions led by state or other actors (e.g. civil society groups) provide additional inspiration for industry-led opportunities. Our findings provide an initial repository of cases that different parties can to refer to in making decisions about post-mining futures.

The aim of the project is to provide an overview of the ‘state of play’ and identify future research and policy directions that encompass a breadth of options for repurposed mining landscapes, infrastructure and economic linkages.

Database

The full database is available by request. Please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Holcombe, S. & Keenan, J. (2020). Mining as a temporary land use: transitions and repurposing. Brisbane: Centre for Social Responsibility in Mining. The University of Queensland.

Narrated PowerPoint & report
2019
Closure
CSRM
Yes
Mining as a temporary land use: industry-led transitions and repurposing
Project
Published
Resources