Mine Sited after Mine Activity: The Brownfields Methodology and Kuzbass Coal Mining Case

Abstract

Operating life of a mine lasts from a few years to several decades. Mine closure occurs once the mineral resource is exhausted, or operations are no longer profitable. Mine closure plans are required by most regulatory agencies worldwide before a mining closure permission is granted, and must demonstrate that the site will not pose a threat to the environment and health of the society in future. The article describes a new tool, the brownfields methodology, which can help to promote the revitalization of old mining areas as a part of their technological modernization and subsoil full extraction with environmental damage reduction.