Optimising post-mining land-use decision-making in cooperation with stakeholders

Currently, most of the quarry rehabilitation decisions rely on limited knowledgebase and are made with unestablished methodologies.  Ideally, decisions are based on various environmental, social and economical aspects that are significant to local communities and other stakeholders. This is all possible by implementing multi-criteria decision analysis (MCDA).The aim of this project is to develop the optimal decision for rehabilitation of clay and lime stone quarries based on system of criteria which will consider social, economic and environmental aspects.  The project is based on MCDA, that helps to reduce inefficiencies and make transparent and traceable decision in the field of environmental management, including quarry rehabilitation. Using MCDA methods the decisions are made on the basis of reliable data, and it would ensure a greater cooperation with local communities. Four quarries included in this project (Mereäärne Clay Quarry, Toolse-Lääne and Aru-Lõuna limestone quarries and Ubja oil shale quarry) are located in Northern Estonia in the proximity of small city Kunda. We cooperate with local municipalities, people, enterprises, NGOs and governmental agencies to make the sustainable rehabilitation decision that improves the reputation of mining activities and provides the optimal land-use option for the quarries.