Novel connotations of green exploration oriented to mine ecological restoration

Authors

• HU Zhenqi, Institute of Land Spatial Ecological Security and Restoration, China University of Mining and Technology, Xuzhou 221116, ChinaFollow
• ZHANG Fan, School of Resources and Civil Engineering, Northeastern University, Shenyang 110819, China
• ZHAO Yanling, Institute of Land Spatial Ecological Security and Restoration, China University of Mining and Technology, Xuzhou 221116, China
• LIANG Yusheng, Institute of Land Spatial Ecological Security and Restoration, China University of Mining and Technology, Xuzhou 221116, China

Abstract

Background Mineral resource exploitation inevitably causes ecological damage, while its green solution is rooted in green exploration. Currently, green exploration refers to activities aimed at avoiding, eliminating, or mitigating ecological pollution and damage caused by exploration operations, as well as those intended for the restoration of the ecosystem damaged in the exploration process. However, besides focusing on the exploration process, green exploration should provide geological guarantees for ecological restoration following resource exploitation. [Methods] In this study, the novel connotations of green exploration are proposed first. In other words, green exploration, which should be oriented to the demand for mine ecological restoration, refers to activities that provide geological guarantees for the fundamental tasks of mine ecological restoration, consisting of the ecological suitability evaluation of rock and soil layers, as well as the prediction of potential ecological damage and environmental risks caused by resource exploitation. The three novel connotations are then elaborated individually. Regarding the ecological suitability assessment of rock and soil layers, additional ecological parameters (e.g., the 12 parameters proposed by the United States) should be analyzed based on borehole data in the exploration stage, aiming to lay the foundation for the ecological reconstruction of waste dumps in open-pit mines. In terms of ecological damage prediction, the potential types and rough scopes of mine ecological damage should be predicted based on geomechanical and hydrogeological parameters in the exploration stage. This effort is expected to provide guidance for setting ecological restoration targets. Concerning environmental risk prediction, environmental pollution parameters should also be analyzed in the exploration stage. The purpose is to provide the foundation for accurately determining pollution sources, as well as prevention and control measures, and selecting ecological restoration targets after source exploitation. [Results] It is recommended that geological exploration reports incorporate a chapter devoted to geological guarantees for mining-induced environmental impacts and ecological restoration.This chapter should focus on the exploration results corresponding to the three novel connotations of green exploration, establishing geological exploration reports as comprehensive technical documents that support mine ecological restoration.Conclusion The novel connotations of green exploration oriented to mine ecological restoration represent the inevitable product of the requirements of both ecological civilization construction and the high-quality development of the mining industry. These connotations mean to integrate the demand for mine ecological restoration into the exploration process in advance, thus achieving a close linkage between geological exploration and mine ecological restoration.Prospects In the future, green exploration should deepen and expand in areas serving mine ecological restoration, including geological sample collection, the development of index systems for tests on rock and soil layers, and the determination of the boundaries of ecological damage and environmental risks to be predicted. Furthermore, it is advisable to continuously improve the technical system for green exploration oriented to mine ecological restoration.

Keywords

green exploration, novel connotation, mine ecological restoration, ecological suitability, environmental risk prediction

DOI

10.12363/issn.1001-1986.26.05.0287

Recommended Citation

HU Zhenqi, ZHANG Fan, ZHAO Yanling, et al. (2026) "Novel connotations of green exploration oriented to mine ecological restoration," Coal Geology & Exploration: Vol. 54: Iss. 6, Article 4.
DOI: 10.12363/issn.1001-1986.26.05.0287
Available at: https://cge.researchcommons.org/journal/vol54/iss6/4

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