Mining is essential for providing the raw materials needed for infrastructure, industrial development, renewable energy technologies, and the global shift to a low carbon economy. However, the environmental impacts of mining often remain long after mines are closed, making post mining pollution one of the biggest sustainable development challenges worldwide. Abandoned and inactive mines can still release harmful pollutants through acid mine drainage, tailings leaks, waste rock weathering, and the spread of contaminated dust, causing long term damage to land and aquatic ecosystems. Addressing these persistent environmental issues requires integrated scientific, technological, economic, and policy driven solutions.
One of the main focuses of this session is the various global challenges caused by post-mining Issues. Mine safety is still a key issue, since unstable tailings, abandoned underground mines, waste piles, ground subsidence, slope failures, and other geological hazards can all pose threats to workers and nearby communities. Environmental challenges include acid mine drainage, heavy metal pollution, persistent organic pollutants, airborne particulate matter, contamination of groundwater and surface water, soil degradation, and the movement of pollutants through different parts of the environment. We strongly encourage research on pollution sources, migration mechanisms, environmental fate, monitoring technologies, and risk assessments.
Besides the challenges, this session also highlights opportunities to develop innovative technologies and sustainable management strategies to turn post mining land into highly productive and resilient environments.
This session is aimed at giving researchers, engineers, environmental scientists, public health experts, economists, policymakers, and industry folks a cross-disciplinary platform to share knowledge and showcase innovative research on post-mining challenges and opportunities. We welcome contributions from all areas of mining, including coal, metal, rare earth elements, industrial minerals, and abandoned mine sites.