Coal mine rehabilitation is sesrious business

Mine site rehabilitation, particularly with coal mining where it’s often misperceived as being ‘dirty’ simply because of the dark and ominous colour of the product, is an area where most mining companies make a concentrated effort to be a good neighbour by cleaning up after themselves.

In today’s society, however, it’s not a matter of volunteering to rehabilitate a site upon completion of mining; it’s required by many mining jurisdictions through bonds to ensure that costs associated with reclamation are covered.

And, as mine operators will attest, those bonds are substantial. In fact, securing bonds for mine reclamation can amount to millions and millions of ‘up-front’ dollars that are often difficult to secure but in the end are critical to the successful and profitable operation of the mine.

Transforming a spent mine back into a site with an ‘alternative’ use is no easy task but through imagination and community involvement, many mines have been restored for innovative recreational purposes that provide many tangible and intangible benefits to communities.

Reclaimed mined lands include wildlife habitat, forestry, farming, residential and/or other industrial developments but regardless of their use, mine operators from coast to coast know that reclamation is an integral part of mining and they’re taking that responsibility seriously.