Presidential Address: Post-mining use of rehabilitated land - an opportunity for the South African mining industry for sustainable development

摘要

The paper discusses post-mining land use however, the essence of the topic is the emotional motivation behind the decisions related to mining investment and development. Therefore this is not a typical SAIMM technical paper about the science and techniques of post-mining land use. There are already numerous papers written and conferences held on this aspect of post-mine land use; the science is well understood, but the evidence of the practical application of the (environmental, social, and economic) science is sparse. At a recent conference held in November 2017 on the theme of 'Science, Business, Society Dialogue - linking science, society, business and policy for the sustainable use of abandoned mines in the SADC region', it was demonstrated through the delivery of several papers on the possible viable options of post-mine land use.