How to deal with old coal mines is becoming an increasingly pressing issue around the world. Many old coal mines require significant remediation-related investments and remain a source of water pollution and a host of other environmental hazards.
At the same time, the loss of a coal mine often triggers a cascade of economic and social changes in surrounding communities, including job losses, lower municipal tax revenues, school closures, and falling property prices among others.
This report looks around the world to find examples of how different coal regions are approaching the challenge of repurposing old coal mines, and lays out five pathways based on global experiences.