Restoration and Sustainable Development of Mine-Affected Soils and Degraded Lands : Advances for Natural Resources Conservation and Land Sustainability

Restoration and Sustainable Development of Mine-Affected Soils and Degraded Lands: Advances for Natural Resources Conservation and Land Sustainability delves into the latest advancements in sustainable post-mining land development. This comprehensive volume begins by assessing environmental legacies from mining activities, considering their impacts on different environmental spheres such as the pedosphere, biosphere, hydrosphere, and atmosphere. It explores the interconnections between these spheres and the material fluxes that result from mining interventions, offering in-depth analysis for professionals in the field. The book also discusses the prediction and analysis of environmental benefits and challenges related to mine closures and the transition to renewable energy. It includes social and economic opportunities and obstacles of mine closure and the phasing out of coal, viewed from regional, national, and global standpoints. Management approaches are examined, considering environmental, socio-economic, and political challenges, drawing insights from successful experiences and lessons learned. Finally, the connection between soil and human health in mine-affected areas is analyzed, providing a valuable resource for mining engineers, soil scientists, and environmental resource managers.