Sustainable Solutions for Land Reclamation and Post-mining Land Uses

Dear Colleagues,

Soil remediation and land reclamation are pivotal in addressing the multifaceted challenges of environmental degradation, social disruption, and economic decline resulting from the closure of surface mines. Remediation involves restoring soil health and functionality, while land reclamation encompasses the broader process of restoring landscapes to a productive or natural state after mining activities cease. These practices are essential for mitigating the adverse impacts of mining operations, including soil erosion, habitat destruction, and water pollution. Through restoring, rehabiliting, and repurposing mined lands, we can not only revive ecosystems but also rejuvenate local economies and communities.

Our proposed Special Issue, "Sustainable Solutions for Land Reclamation and Post-mining Land Uses", aims to foster the dissemination of innovative technologies and techniques that advance environmental stewardship in post-mining contexts. This Special Issue will serve as a platform for researchers, practitioners, and policymakers to share insights into effective strategies for environmental monitoring, pollution prevention and control, soil remediation, and sustainable land use planning. Furthermore, we seek to explore decision-making frameworks that integrate spatial and non-spatial parameters to guide the selection of appropriate land uses, considering ecological, social, and economic aspects. By promoting interdisciplinary dialogue and knowledge exchange, we aim to catalyze the development and adoption of sustainable practices in land reclamation and post-mining land management.

The proposed Special Issue aligns closely with the scope of Sustainability, as it addresses the imperative of integrating environmental, social, and economic dimensions in pursuit of a sustainable future. Land reclamation represents a crucial aspect of sustainability within the extractive industry, offering opportunities to mitigate environmental harm, restore ecosystems, and promote long-term socioeconomic resilience. This Special Issue will contribute to the journal's mission of advancing sustainability science and practice by showcasing cutting-edge research and practical innovations.

In this Special Issue, original research articles and reviews are welcome. Research areas may include (but are not limited to) the following:

• Innovative soil remediation techniques for degraded post-mining landscapes;
• Strategies for sustainable land use planning and management in mining-affected regions;
• Environmental monitoring and assessment tools for evaluating the effectiveness of land reclamation efforts;
• Socioeconomic impacts of post-mining land uses and community engagement strategies;
• Policy frameworks and governance mechanisms for promoting sustainable post-mining transitions;
• Decision-making methods for optimizing land use selection;
• Case studies and best practices highlighting successful examples of land reclamation and restoration projects;
• Investigation of land repurposing scenarios based on energy storage and renewable energy plants.

Through this Special Issue, we aim to facilitate knowledge exchange, stimulate collaborative research, and inspire practical action towards achieving sustainable solutions for land reclamation and post-mining land uses.

We look forward to receiving your contributions.

Dr. Francis F. Pavloudakis
Dr. Christos Roumpos
Dr. Philip-Mark Spanidis
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Sustainability is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

• sustainable environment and land management
• land uses
• eco-restoration
• land reclamation–rehabilitation–repurposing
• soil remediation
• circular economy
• sustainability in surface mines