Prioritisation of abandoned non-coal mine impacts on the environment
A definitive evaluation of the impacts on the water environment from abandoned non-coal mines across England and Wales.
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This project evaluates the impacts of abandoned non-coal mines on the environment of England and Wales, and summarises the information collected in a series of reports.
Although most of these mines were abandoned many decades ago they are still causing pollution, principally since the waters draining from the mines often contain high concentrations of metals, particularly cadmium, zinc, lead, copper and iron. The project prioritises the rivers and streams where these mines are having the highest impact and so pose the greatest risk of failing to meet the aims of the Water Framework Directive. It identifies the water bodies (river stretches) that should be the focus of immediate attention in River Basin Management Plans (RBMPs) due to mining pollution.
The project estimates that it would cost roughly 拢370 million over the next decade to deal with water-related pollution from these sites.