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Transforming open mining pits into fish farms: Moving towards sustainability

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  • Fred A. Otchere
  • Marcello M. Veiga
  • Jennifer J. Hinton
  • Renato A. Farias
  • Robert Hamaguchi

Abstract

The legacy of mining activities has typically been land ‘returned to wildlife’, or, at some sites, degraded to such an extent that it is unsuitable for any alternate use. Progress towards sustainability is made when value is added in terms of the ecological, social and economic well‐being of the community. In keeping with the principles of sustainable development, the innovative use of flooded open pits and tailings impoundments as commercial, recreational or ornamental fish farms should be considered in some locations, as it could make a significant contribution to the social equity, economic vitality and environmental integrity of mining communities. This article highlights the growing significance of aquaculture and explores the benefits and barriers to transforming flooded pits and impoundments into aquaculture operations. Among other benefits, aquaculture may provide a much‐needed source of revenue, employment and, in some cases, food to communities impacted by mine closure. Further, aquaculture in a controlled closed environment may be more acceptable to critics of fish farming who are concerned about fish escapes and viral transmissions to wild populations. Despite the potential benefits, aquaculture in flooded pits and impoundments is not without its complications — it requires a site‐specific design approach that must consider issues ranging from metals uptake by fish, to the long‐term viability of the aquatic system as fish habitat, to the overall contribution of aquaculture to sustainability.

Suggested Citation

  • Fred A. Otchere & Marcello M. Veiga & Jennifer J. Hinton & Renato A. Farias & Robert Hamaguchi, 2004. "Transforming open mining pits into fish farms: Moving towards sustainability," Natural Resources Forum, Blackwell Publishing, vol. 28(3), pages 216-223, August.
  • Handle: RePEc:wly:natres:v:28:y:2004:i:3:p:216-223
    DOI: 10.1111/j.1477-8947.2004.00091.x
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Marcello M. Veiga & Jennifer J. Hinton, 2002. "Abandoned artisanal gold mines in the Brazilian Amazon: A legacy of mercury pollution," Natural Resources Forum, Blackwell Publishing, vol. 26(1), pages 15-26, February.
    2. Marcello M. Veiga & Malcolm Scoble & Mary Louise McAllister, 2001. "Mining with communities," Natural Resources Forum, Blackwell Publishing, vol. 25(3), pages 191-202, August.
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    1. Bohuslava Gregorová & Pavel Hronček & Dana Tometzová & Mário Molokáč & Vladimír Čech, 2020. "Transforming Brownfields as Tourism Destinations and Their Sustainability on the Example of Slovakia," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(24), pages 1-28, December.
    2. Stefan Gunnarsson & Katarina Arvidsson Segerkvist & Torun Wallgren & Per Hjelmstedt & Ulf Sonesson & Helena Hansson, 2020. "Systematic Mapping of Research on Farm-Level Sustainability in Finfish Aquaculture," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(23), pages 1-13, November.
    3. Köse, Murat & Kul, Ali Ayhan & Özdemir, Emrah & Gürbey, Alev Perihan & Aktaş, Nilüfer Kart, 2022. "Factors affecting utilization opportunity of wetlands and their immediate surroundings in abandoned mining sites: A case study for Istanbul," Land Use Policy, Elsevier, vol. 121(C).
    4. Barbora Iannaccone & Lucia Domaracká & Dana Tometzová & Ľubomíra Gabániová, 2024. "Assessment of the Recreational Potential of Flooded Quarries in Slovakia," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(21), pages 1-20, November.

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