Over 300 Participants are
Thinking Differently About PMLU
It’s hard to overstate the success of Dr Pete Whitbread-Abrutat’s visit to Queensland over the past few weeks with enviroMETS.
In two weeks of late July 2024 we directly engaged with over 300 influential people, from 80 organisations, including 20 Tier 1 and mid Tier mining companies, all invested in finding innovative and sustainable higher value post-mining land use (PMLU).
With the extensive press coverage over 1 million
now know what can be done with old mining land.
enviroMETS was able to create a reassuring neutral space where the various stakeholders could hold wide-ranging and progressive conversations around PMLU futures – witness the discussion in the Mackay and Mount Isa workshops. This approach could be developed further to inform ongoing site/region-focussed PMLU initiatives, rather than just one-offs, building on enviroMETS’ excellent connections into the relevant expertise to facilitate this.
Key to this approach is to expanding minds beyond the state into other parts of Australia and beyond, where the relevant issues have been – arguably – addressed somewhere. The power of showcasing good examples to build confidence should not be underestimated.
The Eden Project (UK), where Peter was part of the founding team for 12 years, starting changing perceptions of what’s possible when we begin thinking differently about our mined land as assets. “102 Things to Do with a Hole in the Ground” tells that story and a hundred more, including 15 from Australia.
enviroMETS has made available copies for interested members and others to purchase. It builds on the success of “101 Things…” that was published in 2009; it’s sequel is destined to become the go-to reference for the mining industry 'closure' specialists and environmental managers.
We believe that Pete's hits then hot buttons on this topic in his Reflections extracted from his report.
REFLECTIONS - Dr Pete Whitbread-Abrutat
There is an evident appetite for changing closure/ transition and PMLU practices in Queensland, given the context of numerous large-scale mine closures within the next couple of decades; current legislation was developed for a different time and generally favours a return to the original or a pastoral land cover. This does not always maximise the socio-economic – or even environmental – opportunities offered by mine site infrastructure, services and landforms, etc., that could provide the basis for a new future for surrounding post-mining communities. Some government departments and mining companies are keen for a more progressive approach to PMLU, but there are obvious concerns about holding poorer mining performers to account. As well as waving a stick to the laggards, any revised regulations could consider enticing more progressive behaviour with a carrot!
It is critical to ensure that restoring environmental and ecological integrity are key elements of a progressive socio-economic agenda (the essence of sustainable development) – it cannot be either/or. Such an approach might provide encouragement to those concerned with a more environmental perspective and may provide common ground for the start of joint deliberations.
EnviroMETS was able to create a reassuring neutral space where the various stakeholders could hold wide-ranging and progressive conversations around PMLU futures – witness the debates in the Mackay and Mount Isa workshops. This approach could be developed further to inform ongoing site/ region-focussed PMLU initiatives, rather than just one-offs, building on enviroMETS’ excellent connections into the relevant expertise to facilitate this. Key to this approach will be expanding minds beyond the state into other parts of Australia and beyond, where the relevant issues have been – arguably – addressed somewhere. The power of showcasing good examples to build confidence should not be underestimated.
Most of enviroMETS direct funding is from the Queensland state, with a much smaller proportion from industry – mainly smaller players and mainly in-kind. To date, there has been a disappointing response from the larger companies in supporting enviroMETS work, despite it offering an independent, multi-stakeholder and neutral platform for advancing progressive thinking – and with strong government support.
enviroMETS aims to establish five pilot sites on mines to test and showcase new ideas for creating post-mining socio-economic and environmental values. The large players have much to offer and to gain from such an approach, given the benefits of testing and demonstration to the wider industry, government and other stakeholders – including communities.
Downloads of the presentations are available on the site, as is his report. enviroMETS is proud to have Pete as our international project advisor. We are enlivened to have the Queensland State Government supporting our strategy for a fresh approach to how we can facilitate new value PMLUs.
