Mine closure and reclamation as regeneration: coal mining and regeneration success criteria

Authors: Gregory, G; Hesketh, P; Pedlar, R

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DOI https://doi.org/10.36487/ACG_repo/2515_44

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Gregory, G, Hesketh, P & Pedlar, R 2025, 'Mine closure and reclamation as regeneration: coal mining and regeneration success criteria', 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. 1-11, https://doi.org/10.36487/ACG_repo/2515_44

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Abstract:
Mine closure practices and expectations continue to expand beyond simply managing risk and liability. As creating a safe, stable and non-polluting site is technically achievable, transition planning and investments in post-production/post-closure opportunities are increasingly reflected in regulatory, industry and thirdparty standards and guidelines. In particular, the potential for regeneration holds growing appeal because it is fundamentally based on the idea of converting waste and degradation into valuable resources while speaking to calls for circularity and nature-based solutions, demands for a just energy transition, and scrutiny on sourcing and supply chain accountability. However, in the mining sector there remains limited understanding of appropriate criteria for evaluating whether regeneration is likely to be successful. This paper focuses on reframing mine closure and reclamation as regeneration, or the potential enhancement and/or maximising of social, economic and environmental value. It then sets out a potential framework for developing success criteria associated with regeneration. It draws on our work, particularly in coal mining regions around the world, and takes into consideration operational as well as inactive and legacy assets. This paper speaks to the continuing need to expand mine closure thinking to post-closure realities and to the enduring call from industry for clarity in navigating successful regeneration processes and outcomes.

Keywords: regeneration, success criteria, value creation, just transition, coal

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