Management of environmental quality and Kostolac mine areas natural resources usage
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to define and theoretically analyse the performance of modern methods investigated to speed up the recultivation process of degraded areas, and apply it into the mining basin, open pit mines, tailings and all other areas, which need environmental quality improvement.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper presents methods of conservation and substitution of natural resources for the purpose of faster land recultivation (reclamation) in degraded coal mine areas. Two types of methods have been developed: forest slope recultivation and agricultural recultivation of flat landfills. Indicators of positive changes include: changes in chemical properties of tailings, increase in biogenic properties and changes in biodiversity.
Findings
The research results show that the application of these methods, along with the holistic approach and adequate investment, can significantly contribute to the length of recovery process and accelerate it.
Research limitations/implications
Mining basin Kostolac is used as a model test. The results can be applied on all mining basin, open pits and any degraded area.
Originality/value
All results and conclusions were drawn, based on the original measurements and experiments. Stake holders, wanting to manage environmental quality after exploitation in mining basin, applying those methods, can find the value of this paper.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
This work was supported by the Ministry of Education and Science of Serbia, Grant No. EE18031 and TR35030.
Citation
Stevovic, S., Miloradovic, M. and Stevovic, I. (2014), "Management of environmental quality and Kostolac mine areas natural resources usage", Management of Environmental Quality, Vol. 25 No. 3, pp. 285-300. https://doi.org/10.1108/MEQ-11-2013-0121
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2014, Emerald Group Publishing Limited