3
during the planning phase of a mine and included in the
closure planning.
Closure planning has thus developed into an important
planning element that should be realized as early as possi-
ble. Nowadays, it is one of the most relevant aspects for the
public and comprises the main aspects of sustainable min-
ing practice. As the post-mining phase is the longest in the
life of a mine, the focus on the implementation of energy
storage and transformation will have long-term effects.
Alternative energies are seen as an opportunity in today’s
closure planning. Nevertheless, the perspective of closure
must change from minimizing negative impacts to a holis-
tic approach to post-mining with expanded opportunities.
The connections from the surface to the underground
space can be opportunities for sustainable development,
which means access to heat and altitude differences. During
the preparation and use of these spaces for their original
purpose, for example as shafts or spoil heaps, their function
should not be restricted by secondary use. Therefore, there
is a need to avoid conflicts between the secondary use and
the actual mining activity, which is always the second prior-
ity after safety.
The Blue Mining approach was developed to identify
these opportunities, assess them according to the needs of
the current and future generation and prevent conflicts
through parallel planning at an early stage. All the aspects
mentioned are based on previous projects and their con-
sequences, which have been transferred to the approach
(Figure 2).
In the area of energy efficiency (Figure 3), the aim is
to operate a “low-energy mine.” Total energy consumption
should be minimized over the entire life of the mine and the
use of modern and sustainable energy maximized. Processes
must be planned, revised and optimized in such a way that
low energy consumption is achieved. In addition, mines
should be able to act as energy storage facilities by using
geothermal energy or unconventional methane deposits
from coal seams and maximizing the use of their energy
potential, for example by reusing them as power plants.
The energy topic “Storage and distribution” in the BM
considers the use of mines for the storage and distribution
of energy. Active and abandoned mines can be built as
Figure 2. Stages in the process of “Blue
Mining”8
Figure 3. Aspects of the extended Blue-Mining approach (Nowosad, Bothe-Fiekert, and
Langefeld 2023)
during the planning phase of a mine and included in the
closure planning.
Closure planning has thus developed into an important
planning element that should be realized as early as possi-
ble. Nowadays, it is one of the most relevant aspects for the
public and comprises the main aspects of sustainable min-
ing practice. As the post-mining phase is the longest in the
life of a mine, the focus on the implementation of energy
storage and transformation will have long-term effects.
Alternative energies are seen as an opportunity in today’s
closure planning. Nevertheless, the perspective of closure
must change from minimizing negative impacts to a holis-
tic approach to post-mining with expanded opportunities.
The connections from the surface to the underground
space can be opportunities for sustainable development,
which means access to heat and altitude differences. During
the preparation and use of these spaces for their original
purpose, for example as shafts or spoil heaps, their function
should not be restricted by secondary use. Therefore, there
is a need to avoid conflicts between the secondary use and
the actual mining activity, which is always the second prior-
ity after safety.
The Blue Mining approach was developed to identify
these opportunities, assess them according to the needs of
the current and future generation and prevent conflicts
through parallel planning at an early stage. All the aspects
mentioned are based on previous projects and their con-
sequences, which have been transferred to the approach
(Figure 2).
In the area of energy efficiency (Figure 3), the aim is
to operate a “low-energy mine.” Total energy consumption
should be minimized over the entire life of the mine and the
use of modern and sustainable energy maximized. Processes
must be planned, revised and optimized in such a way that
low energy consumption is achieved. In addition, mines
should be able to act as energy storage facilities by using
geothermal energy or unconventional methane deposits
from coal seams and maximizing the use of their energy
potential, for example by reusing them as power plants.
The energy topic “Storage and distribution” in the BM
considers the use of mines for the storage and distribution
of energy. Active and abandoned mines can be built as
Figure 2. Stages in the process of “Blue
Mining”8
Figure 3. Aspects of the extended Blue-Mining approach (Nowosad, Bothe-Fiekert, and
Langefeld 2023)