Repurposing Mine Sites for the Well-being of Future Generations: Innovative Examples and Case Study of Developing Post Mining Remedial Work in Wales Peter Stanley1, Trystan James1, Bob Vaughan1, Steven Pearce2 1Natural Resources Wales, Tŷ Cambria, Newport Rd., Cardiff, CF24 0TP, UK, [email protected] 2Mine Environment Management Ltd., 3A Vale Street, Denbigh, Denbighshire, LL16 3AD, UK, [email protected] Abstract The Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015 introduced “sustainability” into legislation for the first time anywhere in the world aiming to improve the social, economic, environmental and cultural well-being of Wales. Seven case studies are described showing how Natural Resources Wales acted “in accordance with the sustainable development principle” revealing how public bodies must act in a manner seeking to ensure the needs of the present are met without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. Public bodies undertaking substantial capital spending have a duty to ensure they embrace community well-being by applying their Well-being objectives. Keywords: sustainable, generations, wellbeing, legislation, community Introduction restoration schemes accommodated heavily Mining has been an active industry in industrialised areas such as Ebbw Vale Wales since the Bronze Age, bringing much (the Garden City), Merthyr Tydfil, Llanelli, prosperity during the industrial revolution, Wrexham, also at Bwlch and Van lead mines however subsequent decline has left a legacy in Mid Wales. Many areas have however, of scarred landscapes and societies. The had little development since the cessation last lead mine at Parc in the Gwydir Forest of mining, exemplified by the designated (North Wales) closed in 1958 and the copper landscape of the Blaenavon World Heritage precipitation ponds at Parys Mountain Site (South Wales Coalfield), which contains (Anglesey) were abandoned in 1956. Gold many original features of the previous mining mining has endured and is still practiced landscape. at Clogau (North Wales) where processing Given this long history of mining in of mine spoil continues. In relation to coal, Wales and numerous examples of resultant only small private mines now exist as large legacy sites, a valuable long-term opportunity collieries within the extensively worked South to evaluate the practical application of Wales Coalfield closed from the mid 1980’s. “sustainability” with respect to mine site Many former mining communities that remediation has emerged in this Act. surround the now abandoned mines rank Examples of legacy mine site remedial actions today as some of the poorest in western are therefore identified and discussed as early Europe. The legacy remaining from in excess stage case studies. of 1,300 metal mines, numerous collieries Private and Community Led in the South Wales Valleys and those in North East Wales has been one where large Repurposing in Wales reclamation schemes from the mid 1980’s Developments utilising former mining were encouraged to help restore impoverished landscapes to regenerate local economies environments and communities, attempting have recently used adventure tourism as its to inject new business opportunities. These base. The development of tourism as an “end 218 Pope, J.; Wolkersdorfer, Ch.; Weber, A.; Sartz, L.; Wolkersdorfer, K. (Editors) IMWA 2020 “Mine Water Solutions” use” at Welsh mines developed from decades productive and low carbon society of experience with traditional projects like which recognises the limits of the interactive visitor centres, museums and global environment and therefore uses walking trails. A small scale opportunity resources efficiently and proportionately occurred at the Bedlinog recreation and (including acting on climate change); climbing centre, a former colliery north and which develops a skilled and well- of Caerphilly. Larger redevelopment of an educated population in an economy open cast coal mine occurred at the Ffos Las which generates wealth and provides Horse Racecourse, Carmarthenshire, plus the employment opportunities, allowing diversification of a sheep and cattle farm with people to take advantage of the wealth a cart racing track at Abbey Consols mine, generated through securing decent work. Ceredigion. More recent adventure tourism 2. A resilient Wales: A nation which projects such as the downhill mountain maintains and enhances a biodiverse bike center Antur ‘Stiniog was established in natural environment with healthy former slate mines near Blaenau Ffestiniog as functioning ecosystems that support a not for profit social enterprise. This followed social, economic and ecological resilience receipt of over 2,000 support pledges from and the capacity to adapt to change (for local residents, each sharing the same vision example climate change). “To develop the potential of the Outdoor 3. A healthier Wales: A society in which Sector in a sustainable and innovative people’s physical and mental well-being way for the benefit of local residents and is maximised and in which choices and economy”. Other examples include aerial zip behaviours that benefit future health are lines (Zip World) at Penrhyn Quarry near understood. Bethesda, surfing lagoons (Surf Snowdonia) 4. A more equal Wales: A society that enables at the former Trefriw aluminium plant and people to fulfil their potential no matter at the Slate Caverns of the Llechwedd Deep what their background or circumstances Mine, Blaenau Ffestiniog with underground (including their socio-economic trampoline networks (Bounce Below), cavern background and circumstances). exploring plus quarry tours offered. All 5. A Wales of cohesive communities: provide positive community benefits, much Attractive, viable, safe and well-connected needed employment and revenue generation. communities. Given the history of mining in Wales 6. A Wales of vibrant culture and thriving and the decades of resulting negative socio- Welsh language: A society that promotes economic impact, the developing adventure and protects culture, heritage and the tourism concept offers an alternative view Welsh language, and which encourages on what “sustainable” means from the people to participate in the arts, and perspective of mine closure. sports and recreation. 7. A globally responsible Wales: A nation The Well-being of Future Generations which, when doing anything to improve (Wales) Act 2015 (WbFGA) the economic, social, environmental and To maximise the opportunities to progress cultural well-being of Wales, takes ac- mine remedial work NRW is looking at count of whether doing such a thing may recently introduced legislation. The enacting make a positive contribution to global of the WbFGA introduced “sustainability” into well-being. legislation for the first time anywhere in the world. This adopts the Gro Harlem Brundtland “In this Act, any reference to a public sustainable development principles (World body doing something “in accordance with Commission 1987); and aims to improve the the sustainable development principle” social, economic, environmental and cultural means that the body must act in a manner well-being of Wales. This puts in place the which seeks to ensure that the needs of the following seven goals present are met without compromising the 1. A prosperous Wales: An innovative, ability of future generations to meet their own needs.” A public body like NRW must Pope, J.; Wolkersdorfer, Ch.; Weber, A.; Sartz, L.; Wolkersdorfer, K. (Editors) 219 IMWA 2020 “Mine Water Solutions” consider and balance the short-term needs deliver behavioural changes to tackle the with those of the long term, particularly challenges and priorities. The SoNaRR if these have a detrimental effect on the collates evidence from Area Statements and long-term effect. This accommodates other elsewhere, providing the prime national public bodies objectives and therefore their scale evidence base for Welsh Government involvement or collaboration to enhance to produce the NRP, which develops national well-being deliverables and goals. Thus, for priorities where taking action at the right large capital remedial schemes, stakeholder scale will maximise or multiply benefits. dialogue will accommodate the designated range of national and local public bodies via Llynfi Valley Sustainable the Public Services Board (PSB). A Future Redevelopment Case Study Generations Commissioner ensures the PSBs This case study highlights the importance of fulfill their duties. the socio-economic aspects of mine closure, This duty requires public bodies to work and how innovation is vital for success. At together with PSBs to enable greater public the former Coegnant colliery and Maesteg participation with funded work. For example, Washery in the upper Llynfi Valley (ULV) by working with the Sports Council of South Wales, one of the most socially Wales and Public Health Wales NHS Trust, and economically deprived communities opportunities to encourage enhanced healthy in Wales, Welsh Government funded in lifestyles can be incorporated into new 2015 a reclamation woodland scheme for planning. Similarly, by linking with the Arts community benefit. Although preparatory Council of Wales, National Museum of Wales work preceded the Act, the outputs promoted or the Higher Education Funding Council for the principles. Wales, planned development may leverage Sustainable woodland planting occurred additional funds delivering enhanced cultural in ULV that has, based on socioeconomic opportunity for intuitive