Post-mining land use selection using Land iQ and the battery energy storage system site suitability tool

Authors: Simpson, GB; Silver, E Download Paper Open access courtesy of:

DOI https://doi.org/10.36487/ACG_repo/2615_31

Cite As:
Simpson, GB & Silver, E 2026, 'Post-mining land use selection using Land iQ and the battery energy storage system site suitability tool', in AB Fourie, G Boggs, J Heyes & M Tibbett (eds), Mine Closure 2026: Proceedings of the 19th International Conference on Mine Closure, Australian Centre for Geomechanics, Perth, pp. 1-13, https://doi.org/10.36487/ACG_repo/2615_31



Abstract:
Mine closure across Australia presents a portfolio-scale challenge: thousands of sites require transition plans, yet most post-mining land-use (PMLU) assessments are conducted on a site-by-site basis. Identifying land for development, such as renewable energy, residential and industrial sites, is also a profound challenge. By integrating these 2 challenges and investigating the potential of redeveloping brownfield sites rather than greenfield sites, we present a solution, albeit currently only at a high level, that could simultaneously yield development land and remediate brownfield sites. Examples of repurposed mining sites are uncommon, but there are innovative case studies both in Australia and globally. This paper presents a scalable, screeninglevel multi-criteria analysis (MCA) framework that evaluates the relative suitability of mining and mine-adjacent land parcels for 6 candidate PMLUs across New South Wales (NSW) and Queensland (QLD). Drawing on publicly available mine location data, the Land iQ platform and battery energy storage system (BESS) site selection feasibility attributes, the framework scores each parcel across 4 MCA dimensions: physical feasibility, planning and environmental constraints, infrastructure and access, and strategic alignment. Results are reported as portfolio-level distributions and aggregated patterns rather than site-specific recommendations, supporting early-stage strategic planning for governments and portfolio owners. The framework demonstrates that transparent, reproducible screening can reveal spatial patterns in re-use potential, identify dominant constraints and reveal multi-option sites suitable for diverse post-closure futures.

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