Sustainability Priorities
Proposals in this category will be considered by the underground, open cut or coal preparation committees, as appropriate.
MANAGEMENT OF MINE SITE ENVIRONMENT AND COMMUNITY ISSUES
In pursuit of sustainable development the industry is calling for research to enable it to continually improve its ability to manage environment and community issues. Research is needed to fill gaps in knowledge and to identify and respond to future issues such that stakeholders have confidence in the industry’s ability to manage and reduce its impacts.
The industry is seeking submissions relating to the coal mining industry’s license to operate, water management and effective mine site closure and lease relinquishment. The industry is particularly keen to see research address the following aspects:
- Management of mining impacts on surface or groundwater and the local or regional ecosystems supported by these resources.
- Techniques to achieve more efficient use of water leading to reductions in usage and innovative reuse of mine impacted water.
- Improved methods for managing biodiversity in association with mining.
- Improved methods for the prediction and management of dust, overpressure, vibration, fumes and noise impacts.
- Improved management of cumulative community impacts and competing land uses.
- Methods for the efficient reduction of greenhouse footprint (including fugitive emissions and energy efficiency).
- Sustainable coal washery management with a focus on reduced environmental footprints and economic uses.
- Sustainability of mine rehabilitation (including landform design, soil profile development and revegetation).
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