What question did this study set out to answer?

The study aims to address the impacts of mine closure on community access to water and energy services, focusing on socio-economic implications.

May 21, 2026Open Access

Integrating water and energy solutions for socio-economic transition after mine closure

Key Points

The study aims to address the impacts of mine closure on community access to water and energy services, focusing on socio-economic implications.
Examined regulatory requirements for mining infrastructure during closure planning.
Analyzed the socio-economic challenges faced by remote communities reliant on mining services.
Identified significant service gaps in water and energy provision post-mine closure.
Demonstrated that unreliable services limit economic diversification opportunities for local communities.

Abstract

Mining activities have intensive water and energy needs that require reliable infrastructure for ongoing supply.In several jurisdictions, regulations require mining companies to clear all service infrastructure as part of closure planning.This creates significant challenges for remote communities near mine sites that often rely on company-sponsored infrastructure for essential services such as energy and water.Unreliable or unaffordable services not only impact the local quality of life but can also significantly constrain post-closure economic diversification opportunities.This uncertainty in reliable access to critical public services in mining-dependent communities has received little attention in contemporary scholarship on mine closure planning.

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