RECOVERY Project discussion in the “Just Transition Platform Meeting – Coal Regions in Transition Virtual Week, 16-19 November 2020” within the session “Research projects on environmental issues related to mining and coal mine closure” is presented below.
Discussion on RECOVERY in the “Just Transition Platform Meeting – Coal Regions in Transition Virtual Week, 16-19 November 2020″
What would you recommend as key initial focus points for addressing environmental impacts and restoration of land for coal mine closures?
When the lifetime of the mine site comes to its end, a decision of further steps should be made carefully. Undoubtedly, the site must be restored, but the question is if to its original state or maybe another ‘better’ solution. First, all the environmental impacts should be identified and assessed. Some of them are ‘measurable’ in terms of time and the the quantity, as for example GHG emissions from the closed mines; others are long term impacts that may vary from site to site depending, i.e., on the type of the material extracted (quality) or the lifetime of the mine (quantity). In any case, a good restoration plan should be applied based on the assessment of different alternatives (options) that are feasible. Within RECOVERY project we have decided to undergo a mapping and quantification of ecosystems and their services and, in the second place, to formulate alternative land rehabilitation and ecological restoration actions (scenarios) that would give the highest benefit both to environment and society. All the process requires a strong involvement of stakeholders. At the end of the day they will benefit (or not) from the proper restoration of the land after the mine is closed.
How do you reconcile short term actions to address environmental impacts which increase overall public welfare which stakeholders can take now, with a long term vision of when mining ends?
There are different types of environmental impacts over the lifetime of the mine and after its closure. GHG emissions are a good example, as a mine can apply different techniques to destroy methane or to re-use it for heating or energy production. The same happens with waste, which can be re-used for further restoration of waste heaps. In similar cases (see example of Janina Mine, Libiąż Waste Heap) a very specific solution can be applied and a waste can be use for artificial soil production and restoration of the waste heap. When we talk about the long term vision, the stakeholders opinion is very important as the benefits should meet their current expectations, i.e. energy production, green sites for recreations or even crop production is some cases.
From your research, what do you forsee as the major barriers for coal regions and how do we work to overcome them?
Money… I would start with financial barriers. A good planing is needed for all coal regions. A short term strategy will not work in a long run and MONEY, even if it seems to be an important amount in the beginning, it will disappear fast. There are many employees involved in the mining business – I am not only talking about the miners itself but also about all the other services that will disappear when the mining industry stops operating. All this people have to find new jobs and for that reason a good planing of future activities in the regions is needed.
Legislation… Another important issue. If I were an investor I would like to see simplifications in law and administration when a new business case is about to take place. We have to find incentives for the investors to invest in the coal regions.
Lack of emerging ideas… We should invest in R&D concerning reuse of power plants and mining assets and treat them as an opportunity to develop new ideas and not as a barrier that stops us from taking advantage from the assets in the region. In RECOVERY we are looking for some specific ideas that would take advantage of the degraded land. Finding a new function for the waste heaps is a great challenge when thinking of the maximum possible benefit for environment and society.