Pit Lakes: Benefit or bane to companies, communities and the environment?

Abstract

Due to operational and regulatory practicalities, pit lakes will continue to be common legacies of mining lease relinquishments. Unplanned or inappropriate management of these significant geographical features may lead to a short-term liability to all stakeholders during mining operations, or to ongoing liability to the local community and environment following lease relinquishment. Frequently unrecognised is the potential for pit lakes to provide benefit to companies, communities and the environment. Sustainable pit lake management aims to better minimise short and long term pit lake liabilities, and maximise short and long term pit lake opportunities as well. Improved remediation technologies are offering more avenues for pit lakes resource exploitation than ever before, at the same time that mining companies, local communities and regulatory authorities are also more aware than ever of the benefit of these water resources.