Abstract

As a result of open-pit mining exploitations, impressive size gaps occur in the landscape. Their flooding leads to the occurrence of so-called open-pit lakes and represents an interesting way to reclaim the degraded land. Because there is still no way to evaluate the opportunity of flooding the open pits, a methodology for assessing this opportunity was developed in order to identify the open-pits that are suitable for flooding. For this purpose, more criteria have been established that allow a complex assessment of the flooding opportunity. The methodology also aims to ensure maximum safety conditions in the former mining perimeter, the socio-economic and cultural requirements of local communities and the harmonization of the land in accordance with adjacent ecosystems.