Post-mining land use opportunities in developing countries - a review
D Limpitlaw, A Briel
The origins of mine closure practice have influenced the way in which it is
implemented by companies and regulators. Mine closure practices
essentially started developing in the 1970s in countries with advanced
economies and mature mining industries. In these settings, the emphasis
was justifiably placed on restoration of the landscape and an attempt was
made to return to the ‘natural’ pre-mining land cover. These practices
continued to evolve and incorporated socio-economic and cultural aspects,
especially after the Brundtland Report in 1987 and the subsequent Earth
Summit in 1992.
Today mining is increasingly occurring in remote parts of developing
countries where there may be significant need for infrastructure such as
roads, clinics, and schools. The costs of returning land to low (economic)
value pre-mining use may be far greater than establishing a viable postmining
land use that could potentially add value to the community and
take pressure off sites for greenfield development elsewhere. Furthermore,
natural resource limitations (such as topsoil availability) may limit the
degree to which the historical land cover can be re-established.
Establishing post-mining land uses may aid in mitigating the loss of
employment that is inevitable when mines close.
Stakeholder participation in establishing post-mining land cover and
land use options is critical for long-term success. Similarly, third parties
must be identified to support the development of the post-mining land use
This paper draws on the experience of the authors in several
developing countries and presents a case for maximizing re-use of mining
infrastructure. The paper does not advocate the adoption of poor rehabilitation
standards, nor or the wholesale destruction of land capability, but
rather leaving key infrastructure in place for post-mining use that may
support sustainable development.
Keywords: mine closure, developing countries, Africa, land use, re-use of
infrastructure, sustainable development.