Integrating global soil geochemical data into post-mining planning: a proactive approach for data-scarce regions

Authors: Alekseenko, AV; Machevariani, MM; Bech, J; Karthe, D Download Paper Open access courtesy of:

DOI https://doi.org/10.36487/ACG_repo/2515_86

Cite As:
Alekseenko, AV, Machevariani, MM, Bech, J & Karthe, D 2025, 'Integrating global soil geochemical data into post-mining planning: a proactive approach for data-scarce regions', 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. 1-10, https://doi.org/10.36487/ACG_repo/2515_86



Abstract:
Despite ongoing efforts to phase out coal, global coal production and consumption have reached record highs in recent years. While greenhouse gas emissions remain the dominant concern, the long-term geochemical impact of coal mining on soils will persist for decades to centuries. Soils play a crucial role in assessing postmining pollution, yet data limitations in many developing regions hinder effective planning and remediation. This meta-study compiles and analyses a dataset of 13,925 soil samples from 55 mined coalfields across 32 countries to establish reference values for 41 chemical elements, including total organic carbon and 15 rare-earth elements. The dataset offers a reference for understanding potential contaminant patterns in coal mine soils, supporting risk assessment and post-mining land management. For post-mining landscape planning, particularly in data-scarce regions, these figures offer three key contributions. First, they serve as a global reference framework, enabling more precise comparisons between newly studied sites and established contamination baselines. This improves site-specific assessments beyond the conventional practice of comparing industrial soils to undisturbed landscapes. Second, by predicting pollutant burden in greenfield sites, these data support early-stage decision-making on whether coal extraction should proceed while also guiding the development of tailored resource management strategies to prevent soil degradation. Finally, the findings highlight the need for action in certain active mining regions where pollutant levels in mine soils already exceed threshold levels. By incorporating these insights into post-mining planning from the earliest stages, particularly in developing regions with limited site-specific data, decision-makers can adopt a proactive, evidence-based approach to mitigating environmental damage and ensuring effective soil conservation.

Keywords: coal, pollution, metals, restoration, dumps, waste rock, Technosol

References: