Abandoned mines: turning problems into benefits

Authors: Barros, E; Masetti, L; Chaves, M; Domingues, V Download Paper Open access courtesy of:

DOI https://doi.org/10.36487/ACG_repo/2515_06

Cite As:
Barros, E, Masetti, L, Chaves, M & Domingues, V 2025, 'Abandoned mines: turning problems into benefits', in S Knutsson, AB Fourie & M Tibbett (eds), Mine Closure 2025: Proceedings of the 18th International Conference on Mine Closure, Australian Centre for Geomechanics, Perth, pp. 1-7, https://doi.org/10.36487/ACG_repo/2515_06



Abstract:
The abandonment of mining ventures impacts not only the environment, but also the relationship between the mining sector and the population. In the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil, there are more than 500 abandoned mines without adequate closure and recovery. In most cases, the holders of the mineral rights where the abandoned ventures are located do not have the financial means to close the mine or address situations of illegal mining being conducted without the authorisation of the union (the federal government) and in which the offenders are not even identified. In addition, the federal government does not have the budget to implement closure measures for the abandoned mines, making this liability difficult to deal with. Due to this context it is necessary to search for mechanisms that encourage the adequate closure of mines as well as the recovery of abandoned enterprises. An example is the carbon credit market whereby companies that reduce their CO2 emissions generate carbon credits that can be negotiated between companies and governments. This paper looks at the possibility of using a similar strategy to boost the recovery of abandoned mines. The entrepreneur who implements all the necessary recovery measures and completes the proper closure of an abandoned mine will generate ‘REMIN credits’, Mine Recovery Credits (Recuperação de Minas – REMIN) that can be exchanged for benefits in all their enterprises, namely: (i) prioritisation in analysis of environmental licensing processes; (ii) exemption from payment or a discount on fees for environmental licensing processes; and (iii) reduction of the percentage paid of financial compensation for the mineral exploration in other mines. The entrepreneur will be able to choose the most attractive benefit. This way, it is expected that entrepreneurs with more capital will be interested in closing abandoned mines for the sake of benefits and the company’s image improvement in the eyes of society.

Keywords: abandoned mines, mining areas recovery, mine recovery credits

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