International Roundtable on the Restoration of Mining Legacy Sites, Toronto, March 2008
In 2002 IUCN and ICMM agreed to convene a series of discussions under the auspices of the Dialogue on Mining and Biodiversity on critical issues relating to mining and biodiversity. The Eden Project’s Post-Mining Alliance was invited to assist in developing a roundtable on the restoration of mining legacy sites, drawing on its experience in post-mining regeneration. An Organising Group from the three organizations was established and was guided by a nine-member Advisory Group consisting of a balance of representatives from the government, NGO and private sectors. Working together, six key objectives for the roundtable process were developed.
Roundtable objectives
- To develop a shared understanding of the scope and scale of the problem of regenerating legacy sites, paying attention to the differences in approaches required for abandoned versus orphaned sites,
- To develop an understanding of the complexity and urgency of the problem,
- To explore options that deliver successful post-mining regeneration at legacy sites,
- To explore how current good practice in mine closure can be used to develop solutions for legacy sites, with particular attention to improving dissemination to developing countries
- To recognise and promote the critical – and often overlooked – importance of community engagement in dealing realistically with mining legacy, and
- To explore options for appropriate ongoing dialogue on this issue that ultimately leads to action on the ground
International survey
The Alliance, working with the Organising Group and the Advisory Group developed and distributed an international survey aimed at canvassing thoughts and opinions from legacy mine practitioners and stakeholders to better understand mining legacy, best practice, and possible solutions for addressing legacy mines.
Access the survey report here...
Roundtable event
The roundtable event was held in Toronto, Canada, on 2-3 March 2008 and was attended by 46 participants representing the private sector, government, non-governmental organizations, indigenous peoples’ groups and academia.
Access the roundtable background briefing paper here...
Access the roundtable rapporteur's report here...
Funding
The work began in August 2007 and was funded by ICMM, the Tiffany Foundation and the Eden Project, with in-kind support from the Post-Mining Alliance and IUCN. We are grateful for their generous support.