496 Mining and Health
Restoring damaged land
If land is damaged by erosion and
loss of topsoil, it can be restored
over time (see Chapter 11). But
land that is badly damaged by
mine waste and chemicals may
be very difficult and costly to
restore, if it can be restored at
all. It is so difficult, in fact, that
few mines have been completely
restored.
After mining and before restoration
Restoring and replanting damaged
land should be the responsibility of mine owners and operators. But mining
communities, with or without support from government, usually must
pressure the mining companies to make sure they fulfill this responsibility.
To restore and replant mined
lands, toxic waste must be
prevented from washing or
blowing away, and acid mine
drainage must be prevented. It
takes a lot of work over many
years to bring land back to a
healthy state.
If land cannot be mined safely
and responsibly, it should not be
mined at all.
New plants growing 5 years after replanting
Full plant cover 20 years after replanting
A Community Guide to Environmental Health 2012