Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

Land Use-Based Landscape Planning and Restoration in Mine Closure Areas

  • Published:
Environmental Management Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Landscape planning and restoration in mine closure areas is not only an inevitable choice to sustain mining areas but also an important path to maximize landscape resources and to improve ecological function in mine closure areas. The analysis of the present mine development shows that many mines are unavoidably facing closures in China. This paper analyzes the periodic impact of mining activities on landscapes and then proposes planning concepts and principles. According to the landscape characteristics in mine closure areas, this paper classifies available landscape resources in mine closure areas into the landscape for restoration, for limited restoration and for protection, and then summarizes directions for their uses. This paper establishes the framework of spatial control planning and design of landscape elements from “macro control, medium allocation and micro optimization” for the purpose of managing and using this kind of special landscape resources. Finally, this paper applies the theories and methods to a case study in Wu’an from two aspects: the construction of a sustainable land-use pattern on a large scale and the optimized allocation of typical mine landscape resources on a small scale.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Bacon PJ, Cain JD, Howard DC (2002) Belief network models of land manager decisions and land use change. Journal of Environmental Management 65:1–23

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ballesteros ER, Ramírez MH (2007) Identity and community—reflections on the development of mining heritage tourism in Southern Spain. Tourism Management 28:677–687

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Basu AJ, Zyl DJAV (2006) Industrial ecology framework for achieving cleaner production in the mining and minerals industry. Journal of Cleaner Production 14:299–304

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bell LC (2001) Establishment of native ecosystems after mining—Australian experience across diverse biogeographic zones. Ecological Engineering 17:179–186

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bugosh N (2004) Carlson software’s natural regrade module: computerizing the fluvial geomorphic approach to land reclamation. In: the 2004 Advanced integration of geospatial technologies in mining and reclamation, Atlanta, GA

  • Carrick PJ, Krüger R (2007) Restoring degraded landscapes in lowland Namaqualand: lessons from the mining experience and from regional ecological dynamics. Journal of Arid Environments 70:767–781

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • China Sustainable Industrial Development Network (2007) 8079 Mine were closed in past two years in China. http://www.csid.com.cn/NewsInfo.asp?NewsId=54833 (in Chinese)

  • Conesa HM, Schulin R, Nowack B (2008) Mining landscape: a cultural tourist opportunity or an environmental problem? The study case of the Cartagena–La Unión Mining District(SE Spain). Ecological Economics 64:690–700

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cooper A, Shine T, McCann T, Tidane DA (2006) An ecological basis for sustainable land use of Eastern Mauritanian wetlands. Journal of Arid Environments 67:116–141

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Costanza R, Arge RD, Groot R, Farberk S, Grasso M, Hannon B, Limburg K, Naeem S, Neill RVO, Paruelo J, Raskin RG, Suttonkk P, Belt MVD (1997) The value of the world’s ecosystem services and natural capital. Nature 387:253–260

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Edwards JA, Llurdés JC (1996) Mines and quarries: industrial heritage tourism. Annals of Tourism Research 23(2):341–363

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fu MC, Wu GG, Zhou W (2005) Analysis of mines closure and ecological environment restoration. China Mining Magazine 14(4):28–31 (in Chinese)

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Hangen-Brodersen C, Strempel P, Grünewald U (2005) Characteristics of catchments disturbed by lignite mining—case study of Schlabendorf/Seese (Germany). Ecological Engineering 24:37–48

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hilson G (2002) An overview of land use conflicts in mining communities. Land Use Policy 19:65–73

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hilson G, Murck B (2000) Sustainable development in the mining industry: clarifying the corporate perspective. Resources Policy 26:227–238

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hüttl RF (1998) Ecology of post strip-mining landscapes in Lusatia, Germany. Environmental Science and Policy 1:129–135

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hüttl RF, Weber E (2001) Forest ecosystem development in post-mining landscapes: a case study of the Lusatian lignite district. Naturwissenschaften 88:322–329

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lao Tze Cultural Forum Network (2005) Tao Te Ching. http://cccc.wangzhan8.com/ns_detail.asp?id=22566&nowmenuid=106752&previd=0 (in Chinese)

  • Levin N, Lahav H, Ramon U, Heller A, Nizry G, Tsoar A, Sagi Y (2007) Landscape continuity analysis: a new approach to conservation planning in Israel. Landscape and Urban Planning 79:53–64

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Linke H, Thomas S (1975) Problems and objectives of landscape architecture and landscape planning in the German Democratic Republic. Landscape Planning 2:1–11

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Liu CH, Hu ZQ (2003) Mine closure planning and its significance in China. China Mining Magazine 12(12):70–73 (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Lu GP, Liu FX (2002) Mining city: regulate life cycle and promote sustainable development—thinking due to the phenomenon “the mining city will be on the decline along with the exhaustion of mine resources”. China Geology & Mining Economics 5:17–21 (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Lv GX (2003) Investigation and evaluation on resource potential of crisis mines. Institute of eomechanics, Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences (in Chinese)

  • Miao Z, Marrs R (2000) Ecological restoration and land reclamation in open-cast mines in Shanxi Province, China. Journal of Environmental Management 59:205–215

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ministry of Land and Resources of the People’s Republic of China (2008) China Bulletin of Geological Environment 2007. People’s Daily 2007-05-09: p 012 (in Chinese)

  • Mohamed AA, Sharifi MA, Keulen HV (2000) An integrated agro-economic and agro-ecological methodology for land use planning and policy analysis. International Journal of Applied Earth Observation and Geoinformation 2(2):87–103

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nichols OG, Carbon BA, Colquhoun IJ, Croton JT, Murray NJ (1995) Rehabilitation after bauxite mining in South-Western Australia. Landscape Planning 12:75–92

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nicolau JM (2003) Trends in relief design and construction in opencast mining reclamation. Land Degradation & Development 14:215–226

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nieman TJ, Merkin ZR (1995) Wildlife management, surface mining, and regional planning. Growth and Change 26(3):405–424

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Otchere FA, Veiga MM, Hinton JJ, Farias RA, Hamaguchi R (2004) Transforming open mining pits into fish farms: moving towards sustainability. Natural Resources Forum 28:216–223

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Peck P, Sinding K (2009) Financial assurance and mine closure: stakeholder expectations and effects on operating decisions. Resources Policy 34(4):227–233

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Peterson GD, Heemskerk M (2001) Deforestation and forest regeneration following small-scale gold mining in the Amazon: the case of Suriname. Environmental Conservation 28(2):117–126

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pretes M (2002) Touring mines and mining tourists. Annals of Tourism Research 29(2):439–456

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Qian JP (2001) Impacts of backfilling mine tailings on environment and a new approach to reduce adverse impacts of Xishimen Mine. Agro-environmental Protection 20(3):180–182 (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Sawatsky LF, Cooper DL, McRoberts E, Ferguson H (1996) Strategies for reclamation of tailings impoundment. International journal of surface mining & reclamation 10(3):131–134

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sawatsky LF, Beckstead G, Long DJ (1998) Integrated mine water management planning for environmental protection and mine profitability. International journal of surface mining & reclamation 12(1):37–39

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Schulz F, Wiegleb G (2000) Development options of natural habitats in a post-mining landscape. Land Degradation & Development 11:99–110

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sklenicka P, Charvatova E (2003) Stand continuity—a useful parameter for ecological networks in post-mining landscapes. Ecological Engineering 20:287–296

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sklenička P, Lhota T (2002) Landscape heterogeneity—a quantitative criterion for landscape reconstruction. Landscape and Urban Planning 58:147–156

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Toy TJ, Chuse WR (2005) Topographic reconstruction: a geomorphic approach. Ecological Engineering 24:29–35

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Toy TJ, Hadley RF (1987) Geomorphology of disturbed lands. Academic Press, New York

    Google Scholar 

  • Veiga MM, Scoble M, McAllister ML (2001) Mining with communities. Natural Resources Forum 25(3):191–202

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Warhurst A, Noronha L (2000) Corporate strategy and viable future land use: planning for closure from the outset of mining. Natural Resources Forum 24(2):l53–164

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Weber D, Hintermann U, Zangger A (2004) Scale and trends in species richness: considerations for monitoring biological diversity for political purposes. Global Ecology and Biogeography 13:97–104

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Werner K (1973) Reclamation of land damaged by open-cast mining—methods and results. Biological Conservation 5(4):277–280

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wiegleb G, Felinks B (2001) Primary succession in post-mining landscapes of Lower Lusatia—chance or necessity. Ecological Engineering 17:199–217

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wu’an Municipal Bureau of Land and Resources (2003) Planning of protection of geological environment in Wu’an (2003–2010). Wu’an (in Chinese)

  • Zhang J (2001) Multi-development and comprehensive utilization of mineral resources. Foreign Metal Mine 8:55–58 (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Zhang JJ, Fu MC, Zhou JH (2008) Change and ecological use mode of surface subsidence in Jinggezhuang mining area in China. Metal Mine S: 768–776

  • Zhang JJ, Fu MC, Tao J, Huang Y, Hassani FP, Bai ZK (2010) Response of ecological storage and conservation to land use transformation: a case study of a mining town in China. Ecological Modelling 221:1427–1439

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

This article is funded by China’s National Scientific and Technical Supporting Programs during the 11th Five-year Plan, entitled “Key Technology of Regional Land Resource Security Control and Adjustment” (No. 2006BAB15B06) and China Scholarship Council (CSC). Authors thank Dr. Ping Wang, China University of Mining and Technology, Beijing, and Miss. Yikun Cao and Dr. Dingxuan Zhang, China University of Geosciences, Beijing, for their precious suggestions on this article. And authors gratefully acknowledge the colleagues and friends in Land Resources Bureau of Wu’an for offering the basic data and the relevant information.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Land Science and Technology, China University of Geosciences, Beijing, 100083, China

    Jianjun Zhang, Meichen Fu & Zhongke Bai

  2. Department of Mining and Material Engineering, McGill University, Montreal, H3A 2A7, Canada

    Jianjun Zhang & Ferri P. Hassani

  3. Socialwork Department, China Women’s University, Beijing, 100101, China

    Hui Zeng

  4. School of Earth Sciences and Resources, China University of Geosciences, Beijing, 100083, China

    Yuhuan Geng

Authors
  1. Jianjun Zhang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Meichen Fu
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Ferri P. Hassani
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Hui Zeng
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Yuhuan Geng
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Zhongke Bai
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Meichen Fu.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Zhang, J., Fu, M., Hassani, F.P. et al. Land Use-Based Landscape Planning and Restoration in Mine Closure Areas. Environmental Management 47, 739–750 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00267-011-9638-z

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00267-011-9638-z

Keywords

Search

Navigation