Today, RESOLVE published two white papers designed to provide guidance and tools to accelerate the recovery of metals from and restoration of abandoned mine sites.
The increased focus on abandoned sites is due to the recent passage the Good Samaritan Remediation of Abandoned Hardrock Mines Act of 2024, a landmark U.S. law aimed at accelerating the cleanup of abandoned hardrock mines.
Together the papers are part of an effort by RESOLVE to help policy makers, government officials, NGOs and community organization, and mining officials and experts rethink what’s possible at abandoned mine sites inthe US and other countries. Readers will find an overview of the Good SamaritanAct, practical policy guidance, and tools and recommendations to help in the pragmatic effort to restore these sites. They highlight the value of safe, well-regulated opportunities to address liability and accelerate metals recovery and restoration at these sites.
“A Guide for Good Samaritans to Help RemediateAbandoned Hardrock Mines in the U.S.” is published by RESOLVE in partnership with Regeneration and funding from the Rivian Foundation.
“An Exploration of Policy Tools to Address AbandonedMines”, is authored by ConservAmerica and published together with RESOLVE and Regeneration.
Future papers will look at issues like technology and how to scale solutions. We welcome comments on both papers.
Those interested in specific projects, sites, or technology should contact me, Olenka Forde, at Regeneration. Those interested in learning more about our policy work should contact Amber Johnston-Billings, Head, Energy Transition at RESOLVE.
Olenka Forde,
Director Strategy and Integration, Regeneration
Benefits of the re-mining and restoration model
Our approach makes us a strong partner for those trying to tackle legacy mining issues, whether
communities, mining companies, or government agencies.
- Restored mine sites that support the community’s vision for post-remining land uses
- Responsibly produced minerals and metals, for renewable energy and sustainable brands
- Removing the sources of contamination at abandoned mines and returning the land to an
improved condition - Quantifiable net-positive biodiversity outcomes that can be used to create biodiversity and
carbon credits, supporting nature-based goals, and generating income for reinvestment back
into mine restoration - Commercial scale ‘laboratories’ test new re-mining and restoration technologies and practices
- Reducing the number of old and abandoned mine sites globally
https://www.resolve.ngo/news/new-guidance-and-tools-for-restoring-abandoned-mines
