<
https://theconversation.com/cleaning-up-australias-80-000-disused-mines-is-a-huge-job-but-the-payoffs-can-outweigh-the-costs-215447>
"Newly announced closures of Glencore’s copper and zinc mines in Mt Isa will
add to a huge number of former mines in Australia. A 2020 study by Monash
University’s Resources Trinity Group found more than 80,000 inactive mine sites
across the country.
Globally, a 2023 study estimates the mining footprint at around 66,000 square
kilometres. Abandoned mines account for much of this area.
It’s estimated the US has about 500,000 abandoned mines and Canada at least
10,000. The UK and China have at least 1,500 and 12,000 old coalmines,
respectively.
Abandoned mines can pose extreme environmental, health and safety risks.
Unreclaimed coalmines, for example, continue to emit greenhouse gases.
Land is a scarce resource. Restoration enables sustainable and dynamic use of
former mining land. It opens up golden opportunities – environmental, social
and economic."
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
