IGF Case Study: Achieving a Successful Post-Mining Transition With Renewable Energy

The document discusses the 'brownfield to brightfield' transition, where contaminated or abandoned mine sites are transformed into renewable energy hubs. It highlights the benefits of this practice, such as mitigating greenhouse gas emissions and turning financial liabilities into economic opportunities. The report specifically details the SunMine solar farm in British Columbia and a wind park converted from a coal mine in Ruhr, Germany, noting that former mine sites are often ideal for such projects due to existing proximity to power lines and the land-clearing nature of the remediation process.

• The conversion of brownfields (contaminated or abandoned mine sites) into 'brightfields' (renewable energy generating areas, typically solar) allows the mining industry to turn a financial liability into an economic opportunity while contributing to the renewable energy transition.
• Former mine sites are well-suited for solar and wind projects because the remediation process clears above-ground structures and these sites are generally located near power lines, simplifying grid connection.
• The report provides two specific examples of this transition: the SunMine solar farm in the interior of British Columbia and a wind park created from a former coal mine in Ruhr, Germany.

APA

Church,, J. K. (2022). IGF Case Study: Achieving a Successful Post-Mining Transition With Renewable Energy. International Institute for Sustainable Development. https://www.iisd.org/publications/igf-case-study-post-mining-transition-renewable-energy

Chicago

Church,, Jonas Kuehl,Clare. IGF Case Study: Achieving a Successful Post-Mining Transition With Renewable Energy. International Institute for Sustainable Development, 2022. https://www.iisd.org/publications/igf-case-study-post-mining-transition-renewable-energy.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Church, |first1=Jonas Kuehl,Clare |title=IGF Case Study: Achieving a Successful Post-Mining Transition With Renewable Energy |publisher=International Institute for Sustainable Development |date=11 January 2022 |url=https://www.iisd.org/publications/igf-case-study-post-mining-transition-renewable-energy |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{church2022igf, author = {Church,, Jonas Kuehl,Clare}, title = {{IGF Case Study: Achieving a Successful Post-Mining Transition With Renewable Energy}}, institution = {International Institute for Sustainable Development}, year = {2022}, month = jan, url = {https://www.iisd.org/publications/igf-case-study-post-mining-transition-renewable-energy}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }