Transforming pollution sources into assets: Exploring innovative applications of abandoned open pit mines for rainwater storage and aquifer recharge

This review paper examines the potential of repurposing abandoned open pit mines for rainwater storage and aquifer recharge, transforming them from environmental liabilities into valuable assets. With increasing water scarcity and environmental challenges, innovative solutions are essential. Abandoned mines, often seen as environmental liabilities, present a unique opportunity for sustainable water management. Drawing on 227 peer-reviewed articles from sources such as Clarivate’s Web of Science, PubMed, ScienceDirect, Google Scholar, SpringerLink, and Scopus, the paper highlights the feasibility and benefits of utilizing these sites for rainwater storage and aquifer recharge. By examining case studies and technological advancements, this paper highlights the feasibility and benefits of utilizing these sites. Moreover, the review explores the economic, environmental, and social implications of such initiatives, emphasizing how abandoned mines, despite their contamination risks and regulatory hurdles, offer large surface areas ideal for water collection and recharge. The surface areas of the largest open pit mines vary widely from 3.3 km2 at the Betze-Post Gold Mine in Nevada, USA, to 12.9 km2 at the Chuquicamata Copper Mine near Santiago, Chile. Repurposing these sites provides environmental remediation, water security, economic growth, and climate adaptation benefits. However, challenges remain, including technical complexity, financial constraints, regulatory barriers, and social acceptance. Innovative strategies such as effective remediation, sustainable development, and stakeholder engagement are key to overcoming these obstacles. Future research should focus on emerging technologies, policy recommendations, and adaptive management to unlock the full potential of repurposing abandoned mines for water management.