In this article:
- Recent legislation in Australia has focused on the issue of progressive rehabilitation during an existing mine’s life cycle. However, it remains unclear what purpose these mines should serve at the end of their lives. More specifically, what can we do with the thousands of abandoned mines and quarries littered across the country?
- Victoria is in prime position to lead the rest of Australia in mines rehabilitation that can serve communities well into the future
- See what score you get for your Rehabilitation and Closure program
- Find out about Decipher’s Rehabilitation and Closure solution
Opportunities for value after closure
Australia’s abandoned mines don’t have to be a liability; instead, they can become an asset if properly managed. In fact, our national policy for old mines recommends “valuing abandoned mines”. This could include further mineral extraction via secondary mining such as reprocessing tailings; industrial archaeological heritage conservation and tourism; unique habitats for biodiversity enhancement; collaborative research into innovative solutions to contamination problems, which could guide the broader industry; and Indigenous and other employment and training opportunities for regional Australia.See what score you get for your Rehabilitation and Closure program
Across the world, abandoned mines have been rehabilitated and repurposed to support local communities. Our research team has investigated the potential of rehabilitating mines for alternative end uses, including storage for water supply, flood retention, and as municipal waste containment facilities. Victoria is in prime position to lead the rest of Australia in mines rehabilitation that can serve communities well into the future.Rehabilitation for flood retention
As populations continue to rise, increasing urbanisation alters the natural hydrologic cycle, and we face more extreme and heavy rainfall events. Many communities in rural areas and along the urban fringes will face increasing flood risk. If an abandoned mine is nearby, water can potentially be redirected to it, thereby providing storage and attenuation of flood waters, reducing the vulnerability of the catchment and affected regions downstream. Retention basins provide additional benefits, such as increasing biodiversity conservation through the restoration and provision of natural areas.Rehabilitation for water supply storage
Another use for abandoned mines is water supply storage. Such an initiative is underway in Atlanta, in the US, where an abandoned granite quarry is being rehabilitated for water storage. The quarry receives water from a nearby water treatment plant about 8km away, and will extend Atlanta’s water supply from five days to 30 days. Additionally, the project creates significant recreational space for the surrounding area, with the quarry at the centre.Rehabilitation into waste management
Victoria’s growing population also increases demand for waste management facilities. Urban sprawl places challenging restrictions on the placement of municipal landfills. Some abandoned quarries and mines could present viable opportunities for additional waste disposal sites. The Environment Protection Authority of Victoria’s publication of the “Siting, design, operation and rehabilitation of landfills” sets out a best-practice plan for the entire landfill life cycle. We examined Victoria’s abandoned mines and quarries using this framework to find suitable sites that meet the guidelines’ minimum safety requirements. Some of these included a minimum of 100 metres from all surface water, 500 metres from any building or structure, and two metres’ separation from the groundwater table.How to drive progressive rehabilitation and closure
[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=340Weed-sww[/embedyt] Dr Yellishetty’s research team on the project includes Melissa Truong, Han Chung Chia, Thomas Richards, Dr Stuart Walsh of Department of Civil Engineering, Monash University, and Dr Peter Bach, Research Scientist, Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science & Technology (Eawag / ETH). Originally published by Monash University.
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Want to find out more about mine rehabilitation?
- What is mine rehabilitation and closure?
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- What are some best practice mine rehabilitation methods?
- How to take a macro and micro approach to mine rehabilitation
- What is CRC-TiME?
- How to become an industry leader in mine rehabilitation
- Download this free Guide to Mine Rehabilitation in Australia