Sinnett, D.
Journal of Environmental Planning and Management [Published online 7 Feb 2019 prior to print]

Mine waste sites are often perceived as degraded and of little value; however, many sites are protected for their ecological, geological, or historical significance. This article examines the scale of the association between these designations and former mineral extraction sites in England and Wales. Around 69,000 mines (44%) are co-located with some form of designation, ranging from 27% of sand and gravel quarries in Wales to 84% of metal mines in England. Some designations are coincidental to mining and may benefit from resource recovery combined with remediation activities, whereas others exist due to previous mining activities and show adverse effects. This paper recommends reconsideration of both existing restored and abandoned sites in terms of the benefits that they provide, particularly the potential for and desirability of resource recovery in long-term management of former mineral extraction sites. This article is Open Access at https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/09640568.2018.1490701?af=R.