Should We be Open to Welcoming Sustainable Mines to our Communities?

Say the word mining, and most people will conjure up images of old pit villages and Victorian miners covered in coal dust. Mining can also have concerning connotations in terms of buying and selling property. We recently wrote about the importance of mining surveys if you’re buying in a part of the country with a long history of mining.

?

However, we've been talking to Tom at Groundsure, who is approaching the issue

from a different direction entirely. So here’s his question: could sustainable mining help pave

the way for a greener economy here in the UK? We've given it some thought and here's our thoughts on his question.

?

Let’s start with a quick bit of background info. Most readers will be aware of the UK mining and quarrying industry’s rapid decline over recent decades. In 1978, 380,000 people were employed in the sector in the UK, but in 2023, that number had been reduced to 52,000. ?There are many reasons for this, but fairly significant is the fact that ‘mining’ has largely become something of a dirty word and relegated overseas.

?

Surely we don’t really need that many mines anymore, anyway?

?

That, dear friends, is where you are wrong. You may consider mining something of a twentieth century relic, but in actual fact it is playing a very crucial role in our current pursuit of a greener and more technological world.

?

Renewable energy, electric vehicles and cutting-edge technology are all made possible by – you guessed it! – mining. The production of batteries, wind turbines and solar panels all rely on critical minerals such as lithium, tin, tungsten, cobalt and other rare earth elements. In other words, without modern-day mining practices, it would not be possible for you to be sat with a smartphone or laptop reading this blog post.

?

Of course, the demand for technology is ever growing and underscored by the pressure to switch to greener power generation. If we are to satisfy our need for all things new and shiny, and to meet commitments such as net zero by 2050, then we need to be developing reliable and sustainable supply chains for these mineral resources.

?

What exactly does sustainable mining involve?

?

Sustainable mining is a huge topic, and we won’t pretend that we can tie it all up in a bow in one blog post. However, as a starter for ten, here are, erm, five factors that should be considered.

?

1.????? Ensuring a fair deal for miners

?

The rights of working miners in the UK has come a long way since the days of those coal-faced Victorians. This is both in terms of safety regulations, working age restrictions and fair payment terms. Unfortunately, these rights are not always protected in other parts of the world.

?

2.????? Implementing water management strategies

?

Water management strategies are vital in order to manage the responsible use of water in mining sites and prevent water pollution. Innovations such as the Wheal Jane Mine Water Treatment Plant in Cornwall are designed to contain any contaminated water and prevent any discharge into natural water sources.

?

3.????? Innovation in mining technologies

?

There’s been an explosion of mining technology advancements in recent years, and these can significantly reduce the environmental footprint of mining. Introducing electric and hybrid equipment can make a real difference to emissions, as well as representing far less of a risk to miners.

?

4.????? Improving local engagement

?

Today’s mine owners need to be transparent with their local communities, address concerns and actively involve them wherever possible. This could include engaging with local populations and stakeholders to gain social licence to operate mine sites.

?

5.????? Regenerating ex-mining sites

?

When responsible practices are used, the environmental impacts of mining on the local landscape can be minimised. Once sites are no longer in use, regenerative programmes should be put in place to ensure they are returned to a natural or economically-usable state.

?

Why should all this be done in the UK?

?

Currently, the vast majority of rare earth minerals used in UK manufacturing and infrastructure is imported from other parts of the world. This seems like a real missed opportunity, as our geographically rich island, our rich history of mining and our strong commitment to environmental stewardship should enable us to lead the charge in developing and implementing robust regulations.

?

There are two sides to every argument, and we can’t pretend that doesn’t apply here, especially as mining definitely has something of a dark legacy. Even the most outspoken advocates of greener living might initially balk at the idea of a geothermal plant or lithium extraction facility being built at the end of their own garden. These sites can have noise implications, can bring greater levels of traffic to an area and – let’s be honest – aren’t all that nice to look at. ?

?

But here’s the thing: if we want to make a real difference to the amount of greenhouse gas emissions, transportation costs and ecological destruction caused in the pursuit of greener living, then we must resist the temptation to turn a blind eye to what’s happening elsewhere. If these materials were being mined on our home turf, we would have the power to ensure it was being done in a responsible and highly-governed way. There’s also a strong argument that recommitting to mining activities in the UK could bring great benefits in terms of job creation and infrastructure development.

?

As the world continues to transition to a green economy, the demand for critical minerals will only increase. So the question is this: are you open to thinking differently about embracing a modern and sustainable mining industry in the UK?