| Written by Mark Buzinkay
The Global Footprint of Open-Pit Mining
Open-pit mining is one of the most visible and widespread methods of mineral extraction, playing a critical role in powering modern economies. From the copper needed in electrical systems to the iron ore fueling construction, this form of mining underpins much of the infrastructure and technology we depend on daily. Countries like Australia, Chile, China, and the United States operate massive open-pit mines that yield millions of tonnes of raw material each year. The sheer scale of these operations—like the vast Bingham Canyon Mine in Utah—illustrates the logistical might and economic importance of the sector.
Economically, the mining industry as a whole is a trillion-dollar engine of global production. In 2025, the worldwide value of mined materials is projected to exceed $2.4 trillion, with expectations of growth to over $3.0 trillion by 2029. Open-pit operations account for a substantial share of that figure, especially in the extraction of high-demand resources like copper, gold, coal, and iron ore. These materials are not only traded on global commodity markets but also form the backbone of manufacturing, energy production, and infrastructure development. Open-pit mines are often among the most productive in terms of output per site, making them economically indispensable despite their operational costs and environmental footprint (see also: the largest open pit mines in the world).
The global workforce behind open-pit mining is considerable, although precise numbers are difficult to isolate from broader mining employment data. Estimates suggest that roughly 30 to 40 percent of the 12 to 15 million people employed directly in the mining industry worldwide work in surface operations, including open-pit mines. That places the number of workers in open-pit mining alone somewhere between 4 and 6 million. These jobs span a wide range of roles, from heavy equipment operators and engineers to geologists and logistics planners, particularly in countries where mining represents a cornerstone of the national economy (read more about safety in open pit mining).
Beyond employment and material output, the most tangible footprint of open-pit mining lies in its impact on land use. Unlike underground mining, open-pit methods involve removing massive quantities of overburden to access ore bodies near the surface, resulting in significant landscape reshaping. A recent global mapping study found that open-pit mines and their associated infrastructure—such as waste dumps, tailings ponds, and processing facilities—occupy more than 65,000 square kilometres of land. This area is roughly the size of Sri Lanka or twice the landmass of Belgium. These sites are not only expansive but often permanent, leaving scars that can persist for decades even after operations cease.
In parallel, the number of actively monitored open-pit mines worldwide exceeds a thousand, with more being developed or expanded as demand for minerals grows. The combination of extensive land use, long operational lifespans, and environmental legacies such as erosion, habitat loss, and altered hydrology places open-pit mining at the centre of global discussions on sustainable resource management.
While open-pit mining remains indispensable to the global supply chain, its scale and visibility make it a focal point for environmental scrutiny and policy reform. As demand for metals continues to rise in support of green technologies, understanding and managing the full spatial impact of mining activities becomes increasingly urgent.
What happens after closing open-pit operations?
Once an open-pit mine reaches the end of its productive life, it leaves behind more than just an economic legacy—it also presents a complex environmental and social challenge. These vast excavations, often several kilometres wide and hundreds of meters deep, are not easily erased from the landscape. Yet the closure and rehabilitation of open-pit mines is not only possible but increasingly expected as governments, communities, and investors push for sustainable post-mining land use. The transition from active extraction to ecological and economic restoration requires careful planning, substantial resources, and long-term commitment.
Rehabilitation begins well before the final truckload of ore is hauled away. Responsible mine operators integrate closure planning into the earliest stages of mine design, considering how the pit will be stabilised, how waste materials will be managed, and how surrounding ecosystems will be restored. Once operations cease, efforts often focus on reshaping steep pit walls to reduce erosion and prevent landslides, covering exposed surfaces with soil or rock to limit water contamination, and replanting vegetation that can thrive in altered conditions.
Water management is another critical issue. Abandoned pits can fill with rain or groundwater, creating artificial lakes that may become valuable habitats—or toxic hazards—depending on the chemistry of the rock and residual pollutants. In some cases, water treatment systems must be installed to control acidity and metal leaching. In others, carefully managed pit lakes can be transformed into recreational sites or wildlife reserves, offering new economic and social value to local communities.
The goal is not to restore the land to its original state, which is often impossible, but to create a stable, safe, and functional landscape that can support alternative uses. Some former mines are turned into solar farms, agricultural areas, or tourist attractions. Others are integrated into broader conservation projects. Success depends on transparent dialogue with stakeholders, ongoing monitoring, and a willingness to adapt as environmental conditions and community needs evolve.
Ultimately, the end of mining need not be the end of value. With foresight and responsibility, open-pit mines can be reimagined as part of a long-term landscape legacy—symbols not only of industrial power but also of environmental recovery and renewal.
Land restoration
The process of land restoration after open-pit mining is a multifaceted endeavour that goes far beyond simply filling a hole in the ground. It involves addressing environmental risks, rebuilding ecological function, and sometimes transforming the land for entirely new purposes. Three distinct but overlapping approaches define how this can be done: rehabilitation, restoration, and replacement. Each reflects a different level of intervention and ambition in reshaping the mined landscape for the future.
Rehabilitation is the most common and often the most practical approach in post-mining landscapes. It focuses on stabilising the terrain and minimising environmental hazards, such as erosion, water contamination, and dust. This may involve reshaping pit slopes to reduce the risk of collapse, capping waste rock dumps with impermeable layers to prevent leaching, and planting fast-growing vegetation to stabilise the soil. The aim is to make the site safe and environmentally stable, often without trying to re-create the original ecosystem. Rehabilitation provides a platform for further land uses—agriculture, grazing, renewable energy infrastructure, or light industry—but does not necessarily return the land to its natural condition.
Restoration goes a step further. It seeks to return the site as closely as possible to its original ecological state before mining began. This is a more ambitious and complex process, especially in biodiverse or ecologically sensitive areas. Restoration involves reestablishing native plant species, recontouring the land to match natural topography, reintroducing wildlife, and often remediating soils that have been chemically altered or compacted by heavy machinery. In some cases, it may take decades for restored ecosystems to reach maturity, and success is measured not just by vegetation cover but by the return of natural ecological functions such as nutrient cycling, habitat connectivity, and biodiversity. Restoration is more expensive and time-intensive than rehabilitation, but it offers the closest approximation to “undoing” the environmental impact of mining.
Replacement takes a different path altogether. Rather than returning the land to what it was, this approach involves giving the site a completely new purpose—often one that serves social or economic goals for the surrounding community. Some former open-pit mines have been converted into artificial lakes, amusement parks, vineyards, research facilities, or even urban developments. The pit’s shape and infrastructure may be seen not as a liability but as a resource to be creatively reused. This method acknowledges that some landscapes are so fundamentally altered that returning them to their original condition is neither feasible nor desirable. Instead, the focus shifts to maximising long-term value and minimising legacy risks in ways that align with local needs and visions.
In practice, many post-mining sites involve a mix of all three approaches: certain areas may be rehabilitated for basic safety and environmental compliance, others restored for conservation or rewilding, and still others repurposed entirely. The most successful outcomes are those grounded in long-term planning, community input, and adaptive management. In the end, land restoration is not just a technical challenge but a cultural one—about how we see the land, what we owe to future generations, and what possibilities can rise from the void left behind.
Land restoration in phases
A notable example of successful land restoration following open-pit mining is the Zhungeer Open-Pit Coal Mine in Inner Mongolia, China. Over a 35-year period, this project transformed a heavily mined landscape into a rehabilitated area with significant ecological improvements.
Phase 1: Active Mining and Initial Degradation (1985–2000)
During this period, extensive coal extraction led to significant environmental degradation. The area experienced a decline in vegetation cover, increased soil erosion, and habitat disruption.
Phase 2: Implementation of Rehabilitation Measures (2000–2010)
Recognising the environmental challenges, rehabilitation efforts commenced in the early 2000s. These included reshaping the land to prevent erosion, applying soil amendments to improve fertility, and initiating vegetation planting programs. By 2020, approximately 2,204.87 hectares had been rehabilitated, nearly matching the 2,630.98 hectares affected by mining activities.
Phase 3: Ecological Recovery and Monitoring (2010–2020)
Continuous monitoring using remote sensing technologies indicated a steady increase in vegetation health, as evidenced by rising Normalised Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) values. The rehabilitated areas not only improved internally but also had a positive influence on surrounding regions, demonstrating the broader environmental benefits of the restoration efforts.
Phase 4: Integration into Regional Development (2020–Present)
Building on the ecological successes, the restored lands have been integrated into regional development plans. The area now supports various land uses, including agriculture and conservation, contributing to the local economy and biodiversity.
This case underscores the importance of long-term commitment and adaptive management in restoring landscapes affected by open-pit mining. The Zhungeer project serves as a model for similar restoration initiatives worldwide.
FAQ: Land Restoration After Open-Pit Mining
What is the main goal of land restoration in former open-pit mines?
The primary goal of land restoration is to stabilise and repurpose the disturbed land in a way that is safe, sustainable, and beneficial for the environment and local communities. This can involve returning the site to a natural state, rehabilitating it for basic ecological function, or converting it for entirely new uses such as agriculture, recreation, or industry. The approach depends on the local context, ecological potential, and community needs.
How long does land restoration take after a mine closes?
The duration of land restoration varies widely depending on the size of the mine, the extent of environmental damage, and the restoration objectives. Basic rehabilitation can take a few years, especially if the goal is simply to stabilise soil and prevent erosion. More complex ecological restoration—such as reestablishing native ecosystems—can take decades. Ongoing monitoring and adaptive management are essential to ensure long-term success.
Is it possible to fully restore a mined landscape to its original condition?
In most cases, fully restoring a mined landscape to its original, pre-mining state is not feasible. The physical and chemical changes caused by mining—such as altered topography, disrupted soil layers, and contamination—can make complete restoration extremely difficult. However, it is often possible to recreate a functioning and biodiverse ecosystem or to give the land a new, sustainable purpose through thoughtful planning and community engagement.
Takeaway
Open-pit mining is indispensable to global infrastructure and industry, yet its environmental legacy demands thoughtful restoration. Long-term land recovery through rehabilitation, restoration, or replacement ensures that post-mining landscapes can serve new ecological or economic purposes. As the demand for critical minerals rises, the importance of integrating land restoration into mine planning becomes ever more urgent. Safe and secure operations are not just about protecting workers and resources during extraction—they also mean managing environmental risks, stabilising terrain, and preparing for a sustainable transition after closure to protect communities and ecosystems for generations to come.
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Glossary
A geologist is a scientist who studies the Earth’s structure, materials, and processes, including rocks, minerals, and the forces that shape landscapes over time. In mining, geologists play a crucial role in locating and evaluating mineral deposits, guiding extraction, and assessing environmental impacts. Their work combines field observation, laboratory analysis, and modelling to inform safe and efficient resource use. (3)
References:
(1) https://www.thebusinessresearchcompany.com/report/mining-global-market-report
(2) https://www.mdpi.com/2072-4292/17/7/1162
(3) Press, F. & Siever, R. (2001). Understanding Earth. W.H. Freeman and Company.
