In Australia, responsibility for abandoned mines can be unclear. With a few exceptions, state and... more In Australia, responsibility for abandoned mines can be unclear. With a few exceptions, state and territory governments have become responsible for abandoned mines on crown land and private landholders are responsible for abandoned mines on freehold land. Abandoned mines pose risks and opportunities across the full suite of sustainability themes (environmental, human health and safety, socio-economic and community development) after mining ceases.
Coal mining and agriculture have repeatedly come into conflict when they co-occur. Although seemi... more Coal mining and agriculture have repeatedly come into conflict when they co-occur. Although seemingly benign when compared with surface mining, underground coal extraction techniques (including longwall mining) cause subsidence of agricultural land and loss of productivity. Despite growing concerns for global food security and increasing demand for coal resources, there is little peer-reviewed literature on the impacts of longwall mining in prime agricultural areas. In this paper, we examined the present knowledge of subsidence impacts of longwall mining on agriculture and how this may be interpreted for specific locations such as Australia. The review found that subsidence affects soil properties, hydrology and topography. The main impacts on agriculture are altered soil and groundwater hydrology, modified topography associated with increased erosion or waterlogging risk, and zones of compaction or cracking that cause soil physical and chemical changes. Agricultural productivity is also reduced through altering the types of farming practices that are suited to subsided non-uniform landscapes, decreasing farming efficiency through increasing paddock heterogeneity and decreasing ease of workability. There is a need to consider these multiple impacts under local conditions, with particular regard to the interaction of mine subsidence-associated disturbances with farming practices. We conclude by describing future research directions required for Australia and other countries outside of the USA-where most of the research has been conducted. Australia has unique soil and climatic conditions making extrapolation of studies from the USA on subsidence impacts and mitigation problematic.
In Australia, responsibility for abandoned mines can be unclear. With a few exceptions, state and... more In Australia, responsibility for abandoned mines can be unclear. With a few exceptions, state and territory governments have become responsible for abandoned mines on Crown land and private landholders are responsible for abandoned mines on freehold land. Abandoned mines pose risks and opportunities across the full suite of sustainability themes (environmental, human health and safety, socio-economic and community development) after mining ceases. Across Australia, there are more than 50 000 abandoned mines recorded, ranging in size from individual shafts to large polluting open cut mines. Addressing the safety and environmental impacts of these sites, as well as the socio-economic development opportunities of significant rehabilitation projects, requires the implementation of effective policies and programs. Qualitatively defined graded scales or ‘rubrics’ have been used for many years in student assessment and increasingly in the performance assessment of other sectors (Davidson, ...
Coal mining and agriculture have repeatedly come into conflict when they co-occur. Although seemi... more Coal mining and agriculture have repeatedly come into conflict when they co-occur. Although seemingly benign when compared with surface mining, underground coal extraction techniques (including longwall mining) cause subsidence of agricultural land and loss of productivity. Despite growing concerns for global food security and increasing demand for coal resources, there is little peer-reviewed literature on the impacts of longwall mining in prime agricultural areas. In this paper, we examined the present knowledge of subsidence impacts of longwall mining on agriculture and how this may be interpreted for specific locations such as Australia. The review found that subsidence affects soil properties, hydrology and topography. The main impacts on agriculture are altered soil and groundwater hydrology, modified topography associated with increased erosion or waterlogging risk, and zones of compaction or cracking that cause soil physical and chemical changes. Agricultural productivity is also reduced through altering the types of farming practices that are suited to subsided non-uniform landscapes, decreasing farming efficiency through increasing paddock heterogeneity and decreasing ease of workability. There is a need to consider these multiple impacts under local conditions, with particular regard to the interaction of mine subsidence-associated disturbances with farming practices. We conclude by describing future research directions required for Australia and other countries outside of the USA-where most of the research has been conducted. Australia has unique soil and climatic conditions making extrapolation of studies from the USA on subsidence impacts and mitigation problematic.
Introduction: This study depicts broad-scale revegetation patterns following sand mining on North... more Introduction: This study depicts broad-scale revegetation patterns following sand mining on North Stradbroke Island, south-eastern Queensland, Australia. Methods: Based on an ecological timeline spanning 4-20 years post-rehabilitation, the structure of these ecosystems (n = 146) was assessed by distinguishing between periods of 'older' (pre-1995) and 'younger' (post-1995) rehabilitation practices.
ABSTRACT This pilot study of the rare Pagoda Rock Daisy (Leucochrysum graminifolium) in the weste... more ABSTRACT This pilot study of the rare Pagoda Rock Daisy (Leucochrysum graminifolium) in the western Blue Mountains of New South Wales (Australia) proposes a simple survey method combining timed meander and grid-cell survey design to improve the survey effort required for monitoring of species growing in remote and/or inaccessible field locations. Where Pagoda Rock Daisies were known to be present, detection time was both rapid and effective (mean of 4.9 min for each 1 ha grid). Notably, the total survey effort remained constant for all grids, even though Pagoda Rock Daisies were unevenly distributed in the landscape (approximately 17 min/ha). Ultimately, the time required to traverse the landscape was deemed to be the primary limiting factor affecting survey effort. The application of this method is not restricted to challenging locations such as cliff edges; this method could be scaled according to the landscape or organism under investigation, providing a rapid method for surveying and monitoring rare, introduced or other plants from a site-based scale to a broader geographic area.
T he rehabilitation of land disturbed by mining is a statutor y requirement in Australia. Effecti... more T he rehabilitation of land disturbed by mining is a statutor y requirement in Australia. Effective rehabilitation is essential for maintaining a 'social licence to operate'. It reduces risk for mining companies by minimising residual risk payments, reducing administrative uncertainties at closure and creating an agreed transition to post-mining landscapes. Yet our experience and research indicates that in many cases there is inadequate guidance for companies on how to develop clear rehabilitation goals, plans and monitoring systems. Without clarity on rehabilitation requirements, it is difficult for companies to be confident that their rehabilitation will be deemed 'successful' by regulators. Further, without effective integration into mine operation planning and costing, successful implementation of rehabilitation plans will be difficult, with end-of-mine rehabilitation challenges arising at a time when there is limited scope to alter post-mining landforms or rehab...
In Australia, responsibility for abandoned mines can be unclear. With a few exceptions, state and... more In Australia, responsibility for abandoned mines can be unclear. With a few exceptions, state and territory governments have become responsible for abandoned mines on crown land and private landholders are responsible for abandoned mines on freehold land. Abandoned mines pose risks and opportunities across the full suite of sustainability themes (environmental, human health and safety, socio-economic and community development) after mining ceases.
Coal mining and agriculture have repeatedly come into conflict when they co-occur. Although seemi... more Coal mining and agriculture have repeatedly come into conflict when they co-occur. Although seemingly benign when compared with surface mining, underground coal extraction techniques (including longwall mining) cause subsidence of agricultural land and loss of productivity. Despite growing concerns for global food security and increasing demand for coal resources, there is little peer-reviewed literature on the impacts of longwall mining in prime agricultural areas. In this paper, we examined the present knowledge of subsidence impacts of longwall mining on agriculture and how this may be interpreted for specific locations such as Australia. The review found that subsidence affects soil properties, hydrology and topography. The main impacts on agriculture are altered soil and groundwater hydrology, modified topography associated with increased erosion or waterlogging risk, and zones of compaction or cracking that cause soil physical and chemical changes. Agricultural productivity is also reduced through altering the types of farming practices that are suited to subsided non-uniform landscapes, decreasing farming efficiency through increasing paddock heterogeneity and decreasing ease of workability. There is a need to consider these multiple impacts under local conditions, with particular regard to the interaction of mine subsidence-associated disturbances with farming practices. We conclude by describing future research directions required for Australia and other countries outside of the USA-where most of the research has been conducted. Australia has unique soil and climatic conditions making extrapolation of studies from the USA on subsidence impacts and mitigation problematic.
In Australia, responsibility for abandoned mines can be unclear. With a few exceptions, state and... more In Australia, responsibility for abandoned mines can be unclear. With a few exceptions, state and territory governments have become responsible for abandoned mines on Crown land and private landholders are responsible for abandoned mines on freehold land. Abandoned mines pose risks and opportunities across the full suite of sustainability themes (environmental, human health and safety, socio-economic and community development) after mining ceases. Across Australia, there are more than 50 000 abandoned mines recorded, ranging in size from individual shafts to large polluting open cut mines. Addressing the safety and environmental impacts of these sites, as well as the socio-economic development opportunities of significant rehabilitation projects, requires the implementation of effective policies and programs. Qualitatively defined graded scales or ‘rubrics’ have been used for many years in student assessment and increasingly in the performance assessment of other sectors (Davidson, ...
Coal mining and agriculture have repeatedly come into conflict when they co-occur. Although seemi... more Coal mining and agriculture have repeatedly come into conflict when they co-occur. Although seemingly benign when compared with surface mining, underground coal extraction techniques (including longwall mining) cause subsidence of agricultural land and loss of productivity. Despite growing concerns for global food security and increasing demand for coal resources, there is little peer-reviewed literature on the impacts of longwall mining in prime agricultural areas. In this paper, we examined the present knowledge of subsidence impacts of longwall mining on agriculture and how this may be interpreted for specific locations such as Australia. The review found that subsidence affects soil properties, hydrology and topography. The main impacts on agriculture are altered soil and groundwater hydrology, modified topography associated with increased erosion or waterlogging risk, and zones of compaction or cracking that cause soil physical and chemical changes. Agricultural productivity is also reduced through altering the types of farming practices that are suited to subsided non-uniform landscapes, decreasing farming efficiency through increasing paddock heterogeneity and decreasing ease of workability. There is a need to consider these multiple impacts under local conditions, with particular regard to the interaction of mine subsidence-associated disturbances with farming practices. We conclude by describing future research directions required for Australia and other countries outside of the USA-where most of the research has been conducted. Australia has unique soil and climatic conditions making extrapolation of studies from the USA on subsidence impacts and mitigation problematic.
Introduction: This study depicts broad-scale revegetation patterns following sand mining on North... more Introduction: This study depicts broad-scale revegetation patterns following sand mining on North Stradbroke Island, south-eastern Queensland, Australia. Methods: Based on an ecological timeline spanning 4-20 years post-rehabilitation, the structure of these ecosystems (n = 146) was assessed by distinguishing between periods of 'older' (pre-1995) and 'younger' (post-1995) rehabilitation practices.
ABSTRACT This pilot study of the rare Pagoda Rock Daisy (Leucochrysum graminifolium) in the weste... more ABSTRACT This pilot study of the rare Pagoda Rock Daisy (Leucochrysum graminifolium) in the western Blue Mountains of New South Wales (Australia) proposes a simple survey method combining timed meander and grid-cell survey design to improve the survey effort required for monitoring of species growing in remote and/or inaccessible field locations. Where Pagoda Rock Daisies were known to be present, detection time was both rapid and effective (mean of 4.9 min for each 1 ha grid). Notably, the total survey effort remained constant for all grids, even though Pagoda Rock Daisies were unevenly distributed in the landscape (approximately 17 min/ha). Ultimately, the time required to traverse the landscape was deemed to be the primary limiting factor affecting survey effort. The application of this method is not restricted to challenging locations such as cliff edges; this method could be scaled according to the landscape or organism under investigation, providing a rapid method for surveying and monitoring rare, introduced or other plants from a site-based scale to a broader geographic area.
T he rehabilitation of land disturbed by mining is a statutor y requirement in Australia. Effecti... more T he rehabilitation of land disturbed by mining is a statutor y requirement in Australia. Effective rehabilitation is essential for maintaining a 'social licence to operate'. It reduces risk for mining companies by minimising residual risk payments, reducing administrative uncertainties at closure and creating an agreed transition to post-mining landscapes. Yet our experience and research indicates that in many cases there is inadequate guidance for companies on how to develop clear rehabilitation goals, plans and monitoring systems. Without clarity on rehabilitation requirements, it is difficult for companies to be confident that their rehabilitation will be deemed 'successful' by regulators. Further, without effective integration into mine operation planning and costing, successful implementation of rehabilitation plans will be difficult, with end-of-mine rehabilitation challenges arising at a time when there is limited scope to alter post-mining landforms or rehab...
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Papers by Vanessa Glenn