Visiting mine reclamation: How field experience shapes perceptions of mining

Abstract

Recognizing the prevailing negative public opinion on mining, it is important to understand how firsthand encounters with mining activities might influence these perceptions. This study investigates how field trips to open pit coal mines and their reclamation sites in the Czech Republic affected the attitudes of 148 university students toward mining and mine reclamation. Using pre and post trip questionnaires, we observed significant changes: Students became less neutral about mining, saw it as a temporary disruptive activity, expressed reduced concern for social conflicts in mining areas, and showed increased support for the ecological restoration of post mining sites. These findings underscore the transformative impact of direct engagement with mine reclamation activities on shaping attitudes. Understanding these effects offers promise for positively shifting public perceptions of mining practices, emphasizing the potential for constructive changes in attitudes through field experiences with reclamation efforts in the Global North.

Keywords: Attitude; Czech Republic; Extractive industry; Mine rehabilitation; Social–ecological interactions; Students.

Fig. 1

The study area of the Most lignite basin is located in the north-west of the Czech Republic. The study area includes two open-pit mines, Jan Sverma and CSA, depicted on the left side of the study area, and several rehabilitated sites, such as Cepirozska, Slatinicka, Velebudicka dump, or the Most lake. The yellow spots present localities shown in Fig. 2

Fig. 2

The field trip program showcased the on-site photographs: a the photo exhibition on mining excavation and mine reclamation in the study area; b the forest reclamation of the site Lezaky according to a reclamation plan; c the naturally restored post-mining site including a mixed forest with open patches combined with small wetlands—30 years of ecological succession; d the Most Hippodrome as a community aimed reclamation in the urbanized area; e the ecologically restored sandy post-mining site with rare aculean species—10 years of ecological succession; and f the open-pit CSA as seen from a viewpoint

Fig. 3

The distribution of participants' responses to all eight attitudinal statements before and after the field trip

Fig. 4

The histogram showcases the distribution of attitude changes across all eight statements. The thick dashed line indicates the mean change, serving as a central reference point. Zero signifies no change, positive values indicate a shift toward a greater agreement with a statement, and negative values signify a move toward greater disagreement with a statement