Grazing as a post-mining land use: a conceptual model of the risk factors

Article


Maczkowiack, R. I., Smith, C. S., Slaughter, G. J., Mulligan, D. R. and Cameron, D. C.. 2012. "Grazing as a post-mining land use: a conceptual model of the risk factors." Agricultural Systems. 109 (1), pp. 76-89. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.agsy.2012.03.002
Article Title

Grazing as a post-mining land use: a conceptual model of the risk factors

ERA Journal ID5173
Article CategoryArticle
AuthorsMaczkowiack, R. I. (Author), Smith, C. S. (Author), Slaughter, G. J. (Author), Mulligan, D. R. (Author) and Cameron, D. C. (Author)
Journal TitleAgricultural Systems
Journal Citation109 (1), pp. 76-89
Number of Pages14
Year2012
PublisherElsevier
Place of PublicationAmsterdam, Netherlands
ISSN0308-521X
1873-2267
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)https://doi.org/10.1016/j.agsy.2012.03.002
Abstract

Driven principally by government regulation and societal expectations, mining companies around the world are seeking to mitigate the environmental impacts of mining through mined land rehabilitation programs. The ultimate goal of rehabilitation is to establish an acceptable and sustainable post-mining land use. Mining companies worldwide face the challenge of specifying just what a sustainable post-mining land use will be. The problem is that while regulations require mining companies to assess post-mining land use sustainability, the mechanism for doing so and the factors that should be considered are not specified. We propose a risk-based approach to post-mining land use assessment with the aim of reducing the uncertainty of mine closure and the potential cost of repair of land degradation caused by inappropriate post-mining land use.
Grazing is a commonly suggested post-mining land use, particularly in Australia where most mining activities occur on land previously used for cattle grazing. Grazing is also seen as a use suited to rehabilitated mined land because of the lower land productivity required compared to cropping. In this paper we develop a conceptual model of the factors influencing the land degradation risk posed by grazing on rehabilitated mined land. This was done through a literature review to identify potentially important risk factors, followed by a survey of graziers surrounding six open cut mines within the Bowen Basin Region of Queensland, Australia. The survey results were used to develop a profile of the risk factors likely to influence the land management behaviour of graziers within the Bowen Basin.
The results of the research highlight that there are three main sets of factors that affect grazing risk on rehabilitated mined land. These are site biophysical characteristics that influence land productivity and commercial grazing viability, factors that influence the land management style of a grazier (principally stocking rate decisions), and factors that influence the commitment of a grazier to comply with any caveats placed on the management of the land. The profile of risk factors obtained for Bowen Basin graziers showed that grazing is likely to be a low risk post-mining land use where land productivity is high enough to support commercial cattle grazing and where land is managed by local graziers. Both the conceptual model and the profile of risk factors described in this paper are precursors to the development of a predictive risk assessment model.

Keywordspost-mining land use; Bowen Basin; risk assessment; grazing; land management
ANZSRC Field of Research 2020359999. Other commerce, management, tourism and services not elsewhere classified
410405. Environmental rehabilitation and restoration
309999. Other agricultural, veterinary and food sciences not elsewhere classified
Public Notes

Files associated with this item cannot be displayed due to copyright restrictions.

Byline AffiliationsUniversity of Queensland
School of Accounting, Economics and Finance
Institution of OriginUniversity of Southern Queensland
Permalink -

https://research.usq.edu.au/item/q1314/grazing-as-a-post-mining-land-use-a-conceptual-model-of-the-risk-factors

  • 2204
    total views
  • 19
    total downloads
  • 4
    views this month
  • 0
    downloads this month

Export as

Related outputs

A systematic review of emerging environmental markets: Potential pathways to creating shared value for communities
Mittahalli Byrareddy, Vivekananda M, Islam, Md Aminul, Nguyen-Huy, Thong and Slaughter, Geoff. 2023. "A systematic review of emerging environmental markets: Potential pathways to creating shared value for communities ." Heliyon. 9 (9). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e19754
Integrity of assessments in challenging times
Hancock, Phil, Birt, Jac, De Lange, Paul, Fowler, Carolyn, Kavanagh, Marie, Mitrione, Lorena, Rankin, Michaela, Slaughter, Geoff and Williams, Andrew. 2023. "Integrity of assessments in challenging times." Accounting Education: An International Journal. 32 (5), pp. 501-522. https://doi.org/10.1080/09639284.2022.2137818
Exploring the potential areas of research to increase drought resiliency of agricultural industries in Australia
Islam, M A., Slaughter, G. and McVeigh, J.. 2022. "Exploring the potential areas of research to increase drought resiliency of agricultural industries in Australia." International Tropical Agriculture Conference 2022 (TropAg 2022). Brisbane, Australia 31 Oct - 02 Nov 2022 Australia.
Macadamia industry benchmark report: 2009 to 2016 seasons, Project MC15005
Mulo, Shane, Bignall, Grant, Jenkins, Ingrid, Slaughter, Geoff and Bright, Jeremy. 2018. Macadamia industry benchmark report: 2009 to 2016 seasons, Project MC15005. Brisbane, Australia. Queensland Government.
Scenario-based planning for tourism development using system dynamic modelling: a case study of Cat Ba Island, Vietnam
Mai, Thanh and Smith, Carl. 2018. "Scenario-based planning for tourism development using system dynamic modelling: a case study of Cat Ba Island, Vietnam." Tourism Management: research, policies, practice. 68, pp. 336-354. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tourman.2018.04.005
Addressing the threats to tourism sustainability using systems thinking: a case study of Cat Ba Island, Vietnam
Mai, Thanh and Smith, Carl. 2015. "Addressing the threats to tourism sustainability using systems thinking: a case study of Cat Ba Island, Vietnam." Journal of Sustainable Tourism. 23 (10), pp. 1504-1528. https://doi.org/10.1080/09669582.2015.1045514
Theoretical background of supply chain management and potential supply chain of north Queensland timber industry
Keane, Rasheda H., Herbohn, John and Slaughter, Geoff. 2003. "Theoretical background of supply chain management and potential supply chain of north Queensland timber industry." Suh, J., Smorfitt, S. R. and Herbohn, J. L. (ed.) 2003 Forestry Symposium. St Lucia, Australia 18 Jun 2003 Brisbane, Australia.
Factors influencing levels of corporate social responsibility disclosure Libyan firms: a mixed study
Bayoud, Nagib Salem, Kavanagh, Marie and Slaughter, Geoff. 2012. "Factors influencing levels of corporate social responsibility disclosure Libyan firms: a mixed study ." International Journal of Economics and Finance. 4 (4), pp. 13-29. https://doi.org/10.5539/ijef.v4n4p13
Benchmarking report: The Australian macadamia industry 2009-2014 seasons
Mulo, Shane, O'Hare, Paul, Jenkins, Ingrid, Bignall, Grant, Slaughter, Geoff, Noble, Chris, Bright, Jeremy and Commens, Robbie. 2015. Benchmarking report: The Australian macadamia industry 2009-2014 seasons. Sydney. Horticulture Australia Ltd..
An analysis of the socio-economic factors influencing the adoption of conservation agriculture as a climate change mitigation activity in Australian dryland grain production
Rochecouste, Jean-Francois, Dargusch, Paul, Cameron, Donald and Smith, Carl. 2015. "An analysis of the socio-economic factors influencing the adoption of conservation agriculture as a climate change mitigation activity in Australian dryland grain production." Agricultural Systems. 135, pp. 20-30. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.agsy.2014.12.002
Australian farm business performance insights from effective farm business managers
Slaughter, Geoff, Glass, Rod, Noble, Chris and Beattie, Claire. 2015. Australian farm business performance insights from effective farm business managers. Canberra, Australia. Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation.
The income statement: content and use
Cunningham, Billie M., Nikolai, Loren A., Bazley, John D., Kavanagh, Marie, Slaughter, Geoff and Simmons, Sharelle. 2012. "The income statement: content and use." Skelly, M. and Studdert, G. (ed.) Accounting: Information for Business Decisions. Melbourne, Australia. Cengage Learning Australia. pp. 261-304
Accounting: information for business decisions
Cunningham, Billie M., Nikolai, Loren A., Bazley, John D., Kavanagh, Marie, Slaughter, Geoff and Simmons, Sharelle. 2012. Accounting: information for business decisions. South Melbourne, Australia. Cengage Learning Australia.
Strategies for investment in the Australian macadamia industry: Development and evaluation of an objective investment appraisal software model
Slaughter, G. J. and Mulo, S.. 2012. "Strategies for investment in the Australian macadamia industry: Development and evaluation of an objective investment appraisal software model." AFBM Journal (Agricultural Business Management and Farming Systems). 9 (2), pp. 57-69.
An empirical study of the relationship between corporate social responsibility disclosure and organizational performance: evidence from Libya
Bayoud, Nagib Salem, Kavanagh, Marie and Slaughter, Geoff. 2012. "An empirical study of the relationship between corporate social responsibility disclosure and organizational performance: evidence from Libya." International Journal of Management and Marketing Research. 5 (3), pp. 69-82.
Corporate social responsibility disclosure and corporate reputation in developing countries: the case of Libya
Bayoud, Nagib Salem, Kavanagh, Marie and Slaughter, Geoff. 2012. "Corporate social responsibility disclosure and corporate reputation in developing countries: the case of Libya." Journal of Business and Policy Research. 7 (1), pp. 131-160.
Corporate social responsibility disclosure and employee commitment: evidence from Libya
Bayoud, Nagib Salem, Kavanagh, Marie and Slaughter, Geoff. 2012. "Corporate social responsibility disclosure and employee commitment: evidence from Libya." International Journal of Economics and Finance. 4 (5), pp. 37-50. https://doi.org/10.5539/ijef.v4n5p37
Aligning operational and corporate goals: a case study in cultivating a whole-of-business approach using a supply chain simulation game
Bryceson, K. P. and Slaughter, G. J.. 2011. "Aligning operational and corporate goals: a case study in cultivating a whole-of-business approach using a supply chain simulation game." Extension Farming Systems Journal. 7 (2), pp. 7-16.
Economic and environmental analysis of fodder harvesting practices associated with mulga (Acacia aneura) and fire management practices in the mulga lands of south western Queensland
Page, Manda, Witt, G. Bradd, Noel, Michelle, Slaughter, Geoff and Beeton, R. J. S.. 2008. Economic and environmental analysis of fodder harvesting practices associated with mulga (Acacia aneura) and fire management practices in the mulga lands of south western Queensland. Brisbane, Australia. University of Queensland.
Alignment of performance metrics in a multi-enterprise agribusiness: a case of integrated autonomy?
Bryceson, Kim P. and Slaughter, Geoff. 2010. "Alignment of performance metrics in a multi-enterprise agribusiness: a case of integrated autonomy?" International Journal of Productivity and Performance Management. 59 (4), pp. 325-350. https://doi.org/10.1108/17410401011038892
Information flow perspective for capturing the impact of corporate environmental performance on the cost of debt
Xu, Yinshuo, Slaughter, Geoff and Al-Hakim, Latif. 2009. "Information flow perspective for capturing the impact of corporate environmental performance on the cost of debt." Peng, Jie, Al-Hakim, Latif and Chen, Guoqing (ed.) COINFO 2009: 4th International Conference on Cooperation and Promotion of Information Resources in Science and Technology. Beijing, China 21 - 23 Nov 2009 Beijing, China. https://doi.org/10.1109/COINFO.2009.18
Assessing risks of returning mined land to grazing in the Bowen Basin of central Queensland, Australia
Maczkowiack, R. I., Smith, C. S., Slaughter, G. J., Mulligan, D. R. and Cameron, D. C.. 2009. "Assessing risks of returning mined land to grazing in the Bowen Basin of central Queensland, Australia." Fourie, A. B. and Tibbett, M. (ed.) 4th International Conference on Mine Closure (MC 2009): Mine Closure. Perth, Australia 09 - 11 Sep 2009 Nedlands, Australia.
Integrated autonomy: a modelling-based investigation of agrifood supply chain performance
Bryceson, Kim P. and Slaughter, Geoff. 2009. "Integrated autonomy: a modelling-based investigation of agrifood supply chain performance." 11th International Conference on Computer Modelling and Simulation (UKSim 2009). Cambridge, England 25 - 27 Mar 2009 United Kingdom. https://doi.org/10.1109/UKSIM.2009.42
On-farm economic analysis in the Australian macadamia industry, interim final report, MC03023
O'Hare, Paul, Slaughter, Geoff, Mulo, Shane and Quinlan, Kevin. 2008. On-farm economic analysis in the Australian macadamia industry, interim final report, MC03023. Sydney, Australia. Horticulture Australia Ltd..
Adoption of quality management systems in macadamia, final report, MC03008
Quinlan, K., Treverrow, N., O'Hare, P., Slaughter, Geoff, Mason, R. and Wallace, H. M.. 2008. Adoption of quality management systems in macadamia, final report, MC03008 . Sydney, Australia. Horticulture Australia Ltd..