Mine Site Research Articles

Identifying driving factors and their interacting effects on accumulation of heavy metals in cultivated soils based on optimal parameter geographic detector model

Identifying the factors and their interactive effects on soil heavy metals (HMs) accumulation in karst areas is a significant challenge in preventing and controlling soil contamination by HMs. A total of 1043 topsoil (0–20 cm) samples were collected from northwestern Guizhou to determine the concentrations of HMs (Cd, Pb, Zn, Cr, Cu, and Ni). Then, the optimal parameter based geographic detector (OPGD) model was used to identify the driving factors and interactions of natural variables (such as strata, soil organic matter, terrain, etc.) and human activity variables (such as distance from mining sites (DFM), distance from road (DFR), population density (DOP), etc.) on the spatial accumulation of soil HMs in the region. The findings revealed that the average concentrations of all HMs exceeded the corresponding background values of soil in Guizhou Province. Cd had the highest accumulation, followed by Cu, Ni, and Cr. Moran's I and inverse distance interpolation results showed clear clustering trends in the spatial distribution of HMs. The high-high clusters of Cd, Pb, and Zn were concentrated in the northern and southern parts of the study area, while the high-high clusters of Ni, Cr, and Cu were distributed mainly in the eastern and western parts of the study area. OPGD analysis results indicated that soil Cd, Pb, and Zn accumulation was influenced primarily by SOM, DFM, and stratigraphic distribution, followed by pH and soil type. Whereas Ni, Cr, and Cu were mainly affected by stratigraphic distribution. Additionally, DOP, terrain, and soil type were secondary factors affecting the accumulation of these three types of HMs. Notably, the interactive effects among these factors were found to have a more significant impact on HMs accumulation than individual factors alone. Overall, this study provides valuable insights into the main factors influencing the spatial distribution of HMs and their interactive relationships, contributing to the theoretical basis for preventing and controlling HMs pollution in the study area.

Integrating physiographical and geophysical analyses for the remediation of a water-filled abandoned coal mining site in Chasnala Colliery, Jharkhand, India

Integrating physiographical and geophysical analyses for the remediation of a water-filled abandoned coal mining site in Chasnala Colliery, Jharkhand, India

Landscape, chronology and function of Bronze Age terrace-shaped settlements: A case study from the Youzhashan site in Yangxin County, Hubei Province, China

The Middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River, constituting a region rich in metal resources, played an important role in the formation and early development of the Bronze Age civilization in China, mainly including mainly the southeastern part of Hubei Province, the northern part of Jiangxi Province and the southern part of Anhui Province. Geological surveys have revealed that this region, which stretches for 500 km along the Yangtze River, is rich in mines, and archaeological institutions have discovered a large number of Bronze Age mining and metallurgical sites in the region over the past three decades. This region is an important area for studying the rise and prosperity of the Chinese Bronze Age civilization. Therefore, exploring the production pattern of the bronze industry in the copper mining area in the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River, as well as the resource circulation network between this region and the northern part of China, has become a hot issue in Chinese archaeological research in recent years.From March to July 2023, Wuhan University and the Cultural Relics Bureau of Yangxin County formed a joint archaeological team to carry out an archaeological survey of mining and metallurgical sites in an independent geographic unit in the northern part of Yangxin County, Hubei Province, covering an area of 120 km2, and a total of 60 mining and metallurgical sites were discovered during the survey, and approximately two-thirds of the 60 sites exhibited the landscape with a more typical terrace-shaped site. In this study, we have carried out systematic archaeological exploration and drone mapping of the Youzhashan site, a typical terrace-shaped site in this region, and reconstructed the process of terrace-shaped site accumulation formation using materials from archaeological excavation, exploration and survey. In addition, scientific and technological tests were conducted on the metallurgical relics collected from the Youzhashan site, which revealed the occurrence e of copper smelting activities at the Youzhashan site, and we analyzed the processing system. In addition, the carbon samples excavated from the Youzhashan site were carbon dated to determine the exact date of the formation of the Youzhashan site.

“Where Treasures Arise:” Mining Knowledge, Mining Sites, and the Spatial Rationalities of Mineral Resources in Qing China

A comparison between nineteenth-century Europe and Qing-dynasty Yunnan reveals how mining knowledge shaped ways of understanding and organizing mineral resources in space. In Europe, stratigraphic geology, prospecting technologies, and mapmaking generated new rationales to understand mineral resources and their distribution in space, a process entangled with the rise of the nation-state and its exercise of power over the qualities of its territory. In Qing China, due to the lack of modern mining and geological knowledge and the gulf between miners and officials, mineral resources and their distribution were understood purely by reference to mining sites, in particular chang (廠 mine, literally “factory”). Territorial administration, taxation, and transportation were the primary mechanisms utilized to organize these mining sites, and through them governments and officials controlled information on mineral resources and envisaged their spatial distribution. The map was not an authoritative tool for presenting mineral resources in space but instead demonstrated more the Qing's hegemony and local governance than the pursuit of precision. Drawing upon Margo Huxley's insights into spatial rationality, this study problematizes space in the epistemic understanding of mineral resources in a pre-modern context and reassesses historical implications of the legibility of nature for political rationalities governing natural things.

DESIGNING A GEOMETRY OF LOWWALL SLOPE IN COAL MINING USING THE LIMIT-EQUILIBRIUM METHOD AT THE WORKING AREA OF PT. PETROSEA TBK, TARAKAN BASIN, NORTH KALIMANTAN, INDONESIA

Mining, which involves extracting minerals and utilizing natural resources, requires careful planning to ensure feasibility and safety. A critical aspect of open pit mine design is slope stability, influenced by geological characteristics, slope topography, and groundwater conditions. Slope stability analysis, using methods such as the Limit Equilibrium Method (LEM), which has been popular for decades for its convenience, evaluates the potential for slope failure and provides geometric slope design recommendations to reduce risk, improve operational efficiency, and ensure environmental sustainability. The research was conducted at PT Petrosea Tbk, with the mine site in Sebakis Village, Sebuku Subdistrict, Nunukan Regency, North Kalimantan, PT X region. The research object is a lowwall slope that requires stability analysis to prevent landslides. The slope safety criteria are based on the Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Decree No. 1827 K/30/MEM/2018 guidelines, specifically 1.1. To perform the analysis, laboratory test data is required, including rock physical property tests and rock shear strength tests to obtain material property values. This data was then analysed using Rocscience Slide2 software by comparing three methods: Bishop, Janbu, and Morgenstern-Price. The analysis was conducted based on the actual conditions of each slope cut geometry. If the obtained safety factor does not meet the criteria of the Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Decree No. 1827 K/30/MEM/2018, then designing a geometry of lowwall slope is required. The geometric slope design used on the lowwall slope includes creating benches to flatten the slope level, and installing drain holes to decrease the ground water level.

Properties, Treatment and Resource Utilization of Bauxite Tailings: A Review

A substantial amount of bauxite tailings (BTs) at abandoned mine sites have been stored in waste reservoirs for long periods, leading to significant land occupation and environmental degradation. Although many studies of the resource utilization of BTs were conducted to address this challenge, there is still a lack of efforts to systematically review the state of the art in BTs. In the present paper, a systematic literature review was carried out to summarize and analyze the properties, treatment, and resource utilization of BTs. Physical characteristics and the mineral and chemical composition of BTs are introduced. The efficacy of physical, chemical, and microbial treatment methods for BTs in terms of dehydration are outlined, and their respective benefits and limitations are discussed. Moreover, the extraction process of valuable elements (e.g., Si, Al, Fe, Li, Na, Nd, etc.) from BTs is examined, and the diverse applications of BTs in adsorption materials, ceramic materials, cementitious materials, lightweight aggregates, foamed mixture lightweight soil, among others, are studied. Finally, an efficient and smart treatment strategy for BTs was proposed. The findings of the present review provide a scientific basis and reference for future research focusing on the treatment and resource utilization of BTs.

Dicranopteris pedata improves soil quality by enhancing nutrient deposition, decreasing metal concentration, and boosting microbial diversity on abandoned rare earth elements mining sites

Rare earth elements (REEs) mining exerts adverse impacts on soil ecosystems. Attempts to recover REEs-contaminated soils have been made through phytoremediation with Dicranopteris pedata. However, how it improves soil quality is still poorly understood. This study fully investigated the effects of D. pedata-aided phytoremediation on abandoned REEs mining sites, focusing on soil properties, REEs speciation, and microbial diversity. Results showed that D. pedata increased soil TC from 488 to 626 mg kg–1, soil TN from 20.1 to 57.0 mg kg–1, and soil TP from 232 to 259 mg kg–1, while decreased concentrations of soil Fe, Mn, and REEs by 37 %, 62 %, and 43 %, respectively. The plant efficiently removed labile REEs and elevated non-labile fractions. Additionally, D. pedata increased microbial diversity and reshaped microbial composition, with microbial communities such as p_Chloroflexota and p_Acidobacteriota being decreased from 22–47 % to 17–27 % (p < 0.01), and p_Pseudomonadota, p_Acidobacteriota, p_GAL15, and p_Bacteroidota being increased from 0.25–16 % to 5.3–26 % (p < 0.01). Several communities belonging to these phyla significantly correlated to soil properties and metal concentrations, suggesting their roles in improving soil quality. This study provides new insights into soil quality improvement after D. pedata aided-phytoremediation and highlights the beneficial use of phyto-microbial technology for remediating abandoned REEs mining sites.

Transforming ex-Coal Mining Sites into Sustainable Plantations: A Case Study of Food Natural Sustainability Project in Bomba Group

The Ministry of Agriculture (Kementan) is encouraging efforts to convert former mining land into productive agricultural areas to increase national food production and stocks amidst the global food crisis. Land Reclamation Technology is a necessity to reduce the cost of reclamation of ex-mining land into agricultural land. The method of reclamation of ex-mining land by moving top soil from another place is not recommended because this is a step to solve the problem by creating other new problems. Sustainability Business Model for such rejuvenation projects refer to Collaboration and Community Based and must be prioritize all stakeholders (all parties involved and affected by the activities carried out by the business) rather than the interests of shareholders.

Epidemiological profile of malaria in a rural community in the Amazon, Mato Grosso State, Brazil, 2011

BackgroundMore than 95% of malaria transmission in Brazil occurs in the Legal Amazon Region, which in 2010 recorded around 333,429 cases reported in the Epidemiological Surveillance Information System-Malaria (Sivep_malaria), presenting an annual parasitic incidence (IPA) of 13.1 cases/1000 inhabitants.MethodsThis was a descriptive study that measured the community prevalence of Plasmodium infection and its relationship with land use in Três Fronteiras District, Colniza Municipality, Mato Grosso State. Data were collected during household visits in July 2011, with blood collection from finger pricks for the preparation of thick smear slides, and completion of a standardized case notification form. A georeferenced database was analysed, with land use evaluated as categorical variables. A kernel density map was built to show the density of cases and their location.ResultsOf the 621 respondents, 68(11%) had Plasmodium infection: 39 (57.4%) with Plasmodium vivax, 27(39.7%) with Plasmodium falciparum and two (2.9%) with mixed infections. Among infected individuals, 49 (72.1%) were men. Cases of malaria were distributed over the district, with greater occurrence of cases per household in open areas close to the mining company and artisanal mining sites. The was a greater density of cases located in the gold mining region.ConclusionTransmission of malaria in Três Fronteiras District has a heterogeneous distribution. Individuals residing in mining and timber extraction sites have increased occurrence of Plasmodium infection.

Isolation of Aerobic Heterotrophic Bacteria from a Microbial Mat with the Ability to Grow on and Remove Hexavalent Chromium through Biosorption and Bioreduction.

Water pollution with toxic hexavalent chromium, Cr(VI), is an environmental threat that has a direct impact on living organisms. The use of microorganisms from microbial mats to remove Cr(VI) has scarcely been investigated. Here, we isolated aerobic heterotrophic bacteria from a Cr-polluted microbial mat found in a mining site in Oman, and investigated their ability to remove Cr(VI), and the underlying mechanism(s) of removal. All isolates fell phylogenetically into the genera Enterobacter, Bacillus, and Cupriavidus, and could completely remove 1 mg L-1 Cr(VI) in 6 days. The strains could tolerate up to 2000 mg L-1 Cr(VI), and exhibited the highest Cr(VI) removal rate at 100 ± 9 mg L-1 d-1. Using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) coupled with elemental analysis, the strains were shown to adsorb Cr(VI) at their cell surfaces. The functional groups OH, NH2, Alkyl, Metal-O, and Cr(VI)-O were involved in the biosorption process. In addition, the strains were shown to reduce Cr(VI) to Cr(III) with the involvement of chromate reductase enzyme. We conclude that the aerobic heterotrophic bacteria isolated from Cr-polluted microbial mats use biosorption and bioreduction processes to remove Cr(VI) from wastewater.

Inequities in the green transition: anti-mining protests in the European periphery

Supposed green technological fixes to the climate crisis necessitate the mining of raw materials such as lithium en masse, spurring the proliferation of mining globally and the associated social and ecological harms. Major economies are engaged in a resource race for critical raw materials that are indispensable inputs for electric vehicles and digital technologies in the green transition and fourth industrial revolution (Kalantzakos, 2020; Kalantzakos et al, 2023). As this race materialises, so too has resistance and contestation on the proposed mining sites. This article engages with the critical literature on ecologically unequal exchanges (Hornborg, 1998; 2014; 2016) and extractivism (Acosta, 2013) to explore protracted civil society resistance to two lithium mining projects in rural and agrarian regions of Serbia and Portugal. The European Union is pursuing a dual agenda of decarbonising personal use transport and resource autonomy in an increasingly shifting geopolitical order; in turn a massive effort for onshoring mining activities is underway in Europe. The author argues that recent policy enactments by the European Union for onshore mining produces ecological and social harms in rural and agrarian areas and is illustrative of an unequal ecological and economic exchange. Agrarian and subsistence livelihoods are affected in pursuit of green technological solutions, highlighting the contradictory character of the green transition under capitalism and ultimately advocates for a degrowth position.

Assessment on the Impact of Mining and Industrial Activities in Groundwater Quality in Chandrapur, Maharashtra Through Remote Sensing and GIS Applications

This study evaluated the quality of groundwater in Chandrapur Taluka, Maharashtra, using geospatial techniques and data from 2014 and 2018. The study assessed various water quality parameters such as chloride, fluoride, pH, residual sodium carbonate (RSC), and sodium adsorption ratio (SAR). The findings showed that chloride concentrations were mostly within acceptable limits, but there was a slight increase in areas near mining and industrial sites, which was statistically significant (p &lt; 0.05). Fluoride levels were generally within permissible bounds, but there was a noticeable increase near industrial areas in 2018 compared to 2014, which was statistically significant (p &lt; 0.05) and raised environmental concerns. Variations in pH values were also observed, which could impact aquatic ecosystems, with a decrease noted from 2014 to 2018. RSC levels were higher near mining and industrial zones in 2018, exceeding recommended limits, indicating a potential threat to water quality. SAR levels in 2018 were higher, potentially impacting agriculture, but still within acceptable limits. Sulphate levels showed a reduction from 2014 to 2018. These comprehensive findings highlight the specific impacts of mining and industrial activities on groundwater quality and raise broader scientific questions. They can be used to develop evidence-based policies for effective mitigation measures and engage a wider readership.

Enrichment of dissolved metal(loid)s and microbial organic matter during transit of a historic mine drainage system

Water quality degradation by decommissioned mining sites is an environmental issue recognized globally. In the Ore mountains of Central Europe, a wide array of contaminants is released by abandoned under- and aboveground mining sites threatening the quantity and quality of surface and groundwater resources. Here, we focus on the less-explored internal pollution processes within these mines involving organic carbon and microorganisms in trace metal(loid)s mobilization processes. Over an 18-month period, we conducted hydrological and biogeochemical monitoring at the Reiche Zeche mine, a former lead-zinc-silver mine, in Germany, reaching 230 meters below ground, well below the critical zone. Our results show strong seasonal fluctuations in water availability, concentrations of metal(loid)s, pH, and dissolved organic matter (DOM) components across multiple depths. Excess metal(loid) presence during high flow conditions indicated mobilization behavior deviating from conservative dilution. Our findings reveal strong positive correlations between metal(loid) variability and pH (0.894), and between metal(loid) variability and the DOM fluorescent component C2 (-0.910), a proxy for microbial activity. Accordingly, the microbial processes may significantly contribute to the observed metal(loid) composition and fluxes. By elucidating the intricate roles of hydrological and biogeochemical factors in trace metal(loid) mobilization, our research offers a comprehensive framework for improving mine water management and remediation, potentially informing global environmental policies and sustainable mining practices.

Plant traits regulated metal(loid)s in dominant herbs in an antimony mining area of the karst zone, China.

Understanding how plant functional traits respond to mining activities and impact metal(loid)saccumulation in dominant species is crucial for exploring the driving mechanisms behind plant community succession and predicting the ecological restoration potential of these plants. In this study, we investigated four dominant herbaceous species (Artemisia argyi, Miscanthus sinensis, Ficus tikoua, and Ageratina adenophora) growing on antimony (Sb) mining sites (MS) with high Sb and arsenic (As) levels, as well as non-mining sites (NMS). The aim was to analyze the variations in functional traits and their contribution to Sb and As concentrations in plants. Our results indicate that mining activities enhanced soil nitrogen (N) limitation and phosphorus (P) enrichment, while significantly reducing the plant height of three species, except for F. tikoua. The four species absorbed more calcium (Ca) to ensure higher tolerance to Sb and As levels, which is related to the activation of Ca signaling pathways and defense mechanisms. Furthermore, plant Sb and As concentrations were dependent on soil metal(loid) levels and plant element stoichiometry. Overall, these findings highlight the regulatory role of plant element traits in metal(loid) concentrations, warranting widespread attention and further study in the future.

Photosystem modulation and extracellular silicification in green microalgae: Key strategies for lead tolerance and removal

The escalating contamination caused by lead ions (Pb2⁺) and its harmful effects on all life forms has raised global concerns. Certain microalgae thrive in metal mining sites characterized by low pH and high concentrations of Pb2⁺, which are usually prohibitive for many microorganisms. Little is known about the mechanisms underlying the adaptation of such microalgae to these hostile conditions. In this study, we elucidated the adaptive strategies of the green microalga Micractinium belenophorum strain AUMW, isolated from a lead mining site, and its application for the removal of Pb+2. Results revealed that strain AUMW can efficiently tolerate up to 200 ppm of Pb+2 in an F/2 medium. Further experimental variables were optimized through response surface methodology (RSM), and 99.6 % removal of Pb2⁺ was achieved. Novel adaptive responses of strain AUMW to high levels of Pb2⁺ include: (i) activation of metal-protective response by modulation of quantum yield (Fv/Fm) and non-photochemical quenching (NPQ) of photosystem II; (ii) extracellular silicification encapsulated cells of strain AUMW and altered cell morphology from oval to hexagonal; (iii) silicification prevented intracellular translocation of Pb+2; (iv) silicification boosted adsorption of Pb+2, thus enhanced its removal. This study offers new insights into the protective role of silicification in green microalgae and its potential for the removal of metals from metal-polluted sites, waste from energy storage battery industries, and spent batteries. It also provides a solid base to explore the genetic and metabolic pathways involved in the adaptation of strain AUMW to elevated levels of Pb+2.

Comment on: The La Lucette Sb-Au-(W) vein-deposit (Armorican Massif, France): New time and genetic constraints to decipher the 310–295 Ma Sb-Au metallogenic peak in the Variscan Belt by

Recently, Cheval-Garabédian et al. (2023) published a paper in Ore Geology Reviews entitled “The La Lucette Sb-Au-(W) vein-deposit (Armorican Massif, France): new time and genetic constraints to decipher the 310–295 Ma Sb-Au metallogenic peak in the Variscan Belt.” Studies on Sb mineralisation are highly welcomed, especially in France, where there is a lack of updated data hindering a comprehensive understanding of this mineral system. The paper provides new mineralogical, fluid inclusion and geochronological data from historical collection samples of La Lucette mine, a mining site no more accessible since at least 40 years (Serment, 1978). These data, together with structural data from literature, lead the authors to build a metallogenic model related to dextral shear zone during the Carboniferous-Permian transition. The authors further argue for a single and unique 310–295 Ma Sb-Au metallogenic peak in the European Variscan Belt, a late Variscan hydrothermal event coeval with post-thickening tectonics (Munoz et al., 1992; Bouchot et al., 1997, 2005). This assertion is not correct. In this comment, we highlight that (i) several errors and approximations question the validity of their model, and (ii) the authors omit certain information that contradicts their metallogenic model. In our view, their data do not fully support the existence of a generalised and unique Late Carboniferous Sb-Au metallogenic peak in the French Variscan Belt. Furthermore, the idea defended by the authors that ore deposits occurred during dextral strike-slip tectonics that affected the area may better support a possible long-lived history during Palaeozoic times.

Integrated approach for seismic wave prediction and structural evaluation of Oya tuff quarry underground spaces: Field observations and numerical modeling

This study evaluates the structural stability of large underground spaces in seismic conditions, represented by the Oya underground stone mining plant. By directly monitoring the seismic response of the underground mining site, significant earthquake activities at the plate boundaries of the Tokyo region and Ibaraki Prefecture offshore area were observed. Additionally, through an in-depth analysis of seismic records from different locations within the underground structure, the dynamic characteristics and motion patterns of the Oya underground stone mining plant were revealed, revealing its movement trajectory during earthquakes. Additionally, this study innovatively applied seismic waves measured at the original site as input parameters and artificially generated seismic waves based on their response spectra. A numerical analysis was performed after ensuring the model's high correlation with the original site was met. The findings demonstrate that the results of both parameter input methods are confirmable and valuable. Under severe seismic conditions, instability was observed in some regions of the underground mining site. The study also discusses the location and damage mechanisms of the mining site's structure under seismic effects, providing valuable insights for the safety assessment of similar large underground spaces and proposing new approaches for selecting input parameters in seismic analysis.

Bioaccumulation of Heavy Metals in Living Organisms, Soil, and Health Risk Assessment: A Systematic Review of Mining Sites in the Philippines

Despite the known presence of heavy metals around mining sites, a critical gap exists in understanding how these metals accumulate in living organisms and soil. This lack of knowledge hinders effective management and poses potential health risks to surrounding ecosystems, including humans. This review included articles published between 2014 and 2024 that focused on bioaccumulation of heavy metals in living organisms, soil contamination at mining sites, and health risks associated with mining exposure. Articles were selected based on originality, full-text availability, and English language. Excluded were case studies, reviews without data, or articles lacking full text or English translation. All relevant studies were systematically selected from Google Scholar, ResearchGate, Elsevier, Springer, and Academia.edu to identify relevant research exploring the impacts of mining activities on local biota. The review identified a total of 25 studies. We were able to use 15 of these studies for a more in-depth quantitative analysis. The qualitative analysis of all 10 studies revealed that Arsenic, Copper, Nickel, Mercury, Chromium, Lead, and Zinc are the most frequently observed heavy metals impacting humans near mining sites. Among the identified heavy metals, Mercury and Arsenic stand out as posing the greatest health risk such as skin allergies, respiratory problems and various types of cancer. Their high toxicity and ability to bioaccumulate in the food chain are particularly concerning. Bioaccumulation means these metals become more concentrated at each level of the food web, posing a significant threat to top predators like humans. Specific species demonstrate significant metal accumulation, underscoring the toxicological risks associated with heavy metal bioaccumulation and the need for environmental intervention and monitoring to protect both organisms and ecosystems. Through this systematic review, the researchers aim to shed light on bioaccumulation patterns of heavy metals around mining sites. These findings will be crucial for developing better strategies to mitigate environmental impacts and protect the health of surrounding ecosystems.

Characterization, potential valuable metals recovery and remediation of historic wolframite mining waste

The understanding of tungsten (W) mineral weathering and mobilization in nature remains limited due to W being a transition element with a wide range of oxidation states, which enables it to form a variety of complex chemical compounds. This study examined W mining waste at the abandoned Wolfram Camp mine in North Queensland, Australia, to address this gap. The mineralogical analysis showed the W tailings primarily consisted of silicates, including quartz, illite/mica, plagioclase, and K-Feldspar, with low WO3 content. Static acid mine drainage (AMD) tests indicated most tailings were non-acid forming, while groundwater samples exhibited acidification, with pH ranging from 3.8 to 5.2. The reprocessing trials using gravity separation and bioleaching demonstrated promising results, suggesting both techniques could effectively recover resource and decontaminate the mining waste. The gravity separation reprocessing test has successfully recovered 48.4% W from the tailings, with the resulting W concentrate achieving a 21.6% WO3 grade. On the other hand, the bioleaching reprocessing exhibited a remarkable 44-fold enrichment of W from the tailings, with 2.2% W in the AMD sediment. Synchrotron-based XFM/μ-XANES imaging analysis revealed significant wolframite weathering in reprocessed W concentrates. This study proposed a comprehensive approach, integrating environmental remediation and resource recovery technologies, to repurpose abandoned W mining waste. Passive treatment appears to be an economical option for remediating abandoned W mine sites. The findings provide valuable insights for sustainable W mining waste management and the rehabilitation of the abandoned Wolfram Camp W mine site.

Green Transformation of Mining towards Energy Self-Sufficiency in a Circular Economy—A Case Study

This article presents the concept of green transformation of the coal mining sector. Pump stations that belong to Spółka Restrukturyzacji Kopalń S.A. (SRK S.A., Bytom, Poland) pump out approximately 100 million m3 of mine water annually. These pump stations protect neighboring mines and lower-lying areas from flooding and protect subsurface aquifers from contamination. The largest cost component of maintaining a pumping station is the expenditure for purchasing electricity. Investment towards renewable energy sources will reduce the environmental footprint of pumping station operation by reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The concept of liquidation of an exemplary mining site in the context of a circular economy by proposing the development/revitalization of a coal mine site is presented. This concept involves the construction of a complex consisting of photovoltaic farms combined with efficient energy storage in the form of green hydrogen produced by water electrolysis. For this purpose, the potential of liquidated mining sites will be utilized, including the use of pumped mine wastewater. This article is conceptual. In order to reach the stated objective, a body of literature and legal regulations was analyzed, and an empirical study was conducted. Various scenarios for the operation of mine pumping stations have been proposed. The options presented provide full or nearly full energy self-sufficiency of the proposed pumping station operation concept. The effect of applying any option for upgrading the pumping station could result in the creation of jobs that are alternatives to mining jobs and a guarantee of efficient asset management.